Enough is enough

A number of people voiced their dismay in letters to the Mail this week, saying the closed road means up to 50 kilometres in detours for some and it affects everyone from school children to farmers and storeowners.

Many feel there has been a lack of communication from the Augusta Margaret River Shire about the process to fix and reopen the road.

Locals Patricia and Martin Campbell were the first to come forward with their complaints and questions for the shire council.

"My husband Martin spoke to the shire engineering department and was told a person would travel out to assess the culvert on Monday, September 9," Ms Campbell said.

“It was obvious from day one a new culvert would be needed.

“Eight weeks have passed and no physical progress has been made on this project.”

She said as the road is a school bus route, it should be a high priority.

“Students are travelling via Karridale to school in Margaret River,” she said.

“This may be acceptable for a couple of weeks, certainly not for half a school year.

“My granddaughter is one of these students, she is tired when she arrives at school because she is forced to travel extra distances.”

The road closure also impacts the Campbell’s farm, splitting the land so it is now 50 kilometres from one farm block to another rather than 7-9km, Patricia said.

“With hay season approaching, we do not know how we are going to manage our farming enterprise.

“When will the road be re-opened?”

Another local woman said she was deeply concerned about the impending fire season as there is currently only one way to exit from Warner Glen.

In response to some of these concerns, the Augusta Margaret River Shire released information on Tuesday morning stating it had appointed a consultant to project manage the road repairs and would go out to tender for the works in late September.

Shire president Ray Colyer said, “We are pressing ahead with the new design of the new Warner Glen Road culvert crossing.

“Works on other roads impacted by the flooding will also commence in late September.

“We hope to have the vast majority of road repairs completed by Christmas.”

The appointment comes following last week’s announcement by the State Government that the storms were a natural disaster and therefore recovery funding would be made available to cover a range of items including damage to infrastructure.

Cr Colyer said the funding was good news for community members and ratepayers.

He thanked the community for their patience while the matter of road and bridge repairs was being addressed.

“The wet weather and high water levels make it very difficult to construct a permanent new replacement structure on Warner Glen Road at this current time,” he said.

“The drier weather now isn’t far away and the wheels are in motion to get the works happening as soon as is practical.”

For information about detours for the Warner Glen Road visit www.amrshire.wa.gov.au