Latrobe City Council will deliver a large road resurfacing program in 2026/27, with 40 kilometres of local roads scheduled for upgrades across the municipality.
The program includes about 34 kilometres of road resealing works and around six kilometres of asphalt overlays, helping maintain the safety and condition of the local road network.
Latrobe City Council Mayor Councillor Sharon Gibson said all levels of government had a responsibility to maintain roads under their control.
“We believe in maintaining our local roads well,” Cr Gibson said.
“To that end, we are constantly checking their condition and placing the roads that do need attention on our works schedule for repair as soon as possible.
“We also advocate strongly to the Victorian Government’s Department of Transport and Planning to maintain their state-controlled main roads and arterials to a high standard, especially to help avoid a repeat of the large potholes that opened up recently along sections of the M1 Freeway and causing damage to a number of cars.”
Council’s General Manager Infrastructure and Sustainability, Jody Riordan, said the annual program was important to protect Council-owned roads and ensure residents and visitors had access to safe and reliable roads.
“Road resealing is one of the best ways we can extend the life of our roads and reduce the need for expensive reconstruction works in the future,” Mr Riordan said.
“Funds are allocated in the Annual Budget each year for road resealing, as part of our commitment to providing high-quality infrastructure. Up to 200 roads are resurfaced each year.
“The 2026/27 program will see works carried out across Churchill, Moe, Morwell, Newborough, Traralgon and Yallourn North. About 40 kilometres of road surface will be renewed, which is equivalent to about the distance between Traralgon to Trafalgar.”
Roads are resurfaced as part of Council’s proactive asset management approach. Over time, the bitumen surface of roads becomes brittle and develops cracks, allowing water to enter the pavement. Resealing restores the waterproof barrier, improves skid resistance and helps prevent issues such as potholes and soft spots.
Preparation works, including drainage improvements, asphalt patching and pavement repairs, will be undertaken before roads are resealed when required. Resealing works are generally completed between October and April, with residents receiving further information before works commence in their area.
Loose gravel may be present for a short period following resealing works until scheduled road sweeping is completed.
