Residents of a Keilor street will foot more than half the bill for sealing their road under a proposal before Brimbank council.
The council is planning to seal a 475-metre stretch of Flora Street, which provides access to Caroline Chisholm Reserve.
The unsealed section of the street has been a bugbear for residents whose properties back on to it, with the council receiving numerous complaints about dust. Under the proposal, council would seal the road at a cost of about $180,000, but levy a special charge to residents to recoup about 54 per cent of the costs during a 10-year period.
While some residential properties will pay just $319 annually towards the road, four larger properties will contribute between $35,000 and $45,500 each over the next decade.
Mayor John Hedditch said the levy was consistent with council policy, with affected residents footing part of the bill and council covering all upkeep costs.
“In essence, the policy requires owners of the properties that benefit from the construction of an unconstructed road to contribute towards the cost of the works,” he said.
“Council consulted with all landowners whose properties will benefit … this included providing design concepts, costings and holding a public meeting.
“We understand that there may be mixed views from affected residents – which is why council will establish a hearing of submissions committee to give people the opportunity to provide additional feedback.”
The amount each property will pay is dependent on the size of the property relative to other affected properties, the extent to which each property would benefit from the project and the level of broader community benefit.
The proposal affects 15 residential properties. Residents of eight of those provided written submissions to council about the road in 2015.
At a public meeting in November last year, eight participants from six affected properties attended, with two indicating they did not think they should be required to help fund the road.
The committee will receive written submissions or objections until May 9.
