Shire Administration Office

Maintenance Grading

The Shire owns two (2) graders. One is predominately used for maintenance grading and the other for construction work. At times, graders are hired from contractors to supplement the Shire’s fleet.

Gravel roads are maintained by periodic maintenance grading undertaken throughout the year. Some roads are graded more frequently than others depending on traffic volumes and use (i.e. school bus route), however, as a rule, the Shire’s budget and program allows for two maintenance grades per year, being a summer grade and a winter grade on formed gravel roads that are the responsibility of the Shire to maintain.

It is also important to note that within the Shire there is a large network of gravel roads that are not the responsibility of the Shire to maintain. Typically, they are referred to as forestry roads, which are in the majority, assets of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA). Maintenance issues with these roads should be sent to DBCA via their website.

Visit the DBCA website

Winter Maintenance Grading

Provides a good running surface and to form cross-falls in the road (pulling gravel to the middle of the road), so that water can run off and does not pool. Water pooling on roads causes potholes when vehicles drive through them. Rubber tyre rollers are also used to compact the road during winter grades. Moisture is a critical component in maintenance grading, which is best done just after light rainfall, however, the weather cannot be controlled.

Summer Maintenance Grading

Is often done to remove corrugations and improve the running surface (by pushing gravel off the middle section of the road), however summer grading is only ever partially successful at this, and it is not good for the overall road integrity, as there is little or no moisture in the gravel. Grading with insufficient moisture in the gravel loosens hard sections of the road which cannot be compacted with a roller until winter grading is done with the required moisture to achieve compaction.

Gravel Re-sheeting & Requesting a Road to be Graded

Gravel roads lose gravel over time and require the placement of additional gravel. This process is called “gravel re-sheeting’ and involves placing additional compacted gravel on top of the existing road. These works are planned within the Shire’s Capital Works Program.

The Shire has a Maintenance Grading Program, however, from time to time, a request to grade a road is received. The road will be inspected and if required, the road will be scheduled for grading, in consideration of the Shire’s Maintenance Grading Program.

Make a Report

Changing Road Conditions

Over time, gravel roads become corrugated, potholed, rough, slippery, muddy and/or dusty. All of these are normal and unavoidable conditions that change often, and drivers must remain vigilant when driving on gravel roads i.e. travel at lower speeds and expect the unexpected.

It is also important to note that road conditions can, and do, change after grading; gravel roads are often more slippery after they’ve been graded than they were before grading. During dry periods, grading tends to spread loose gravel over the road and in wet conditions, (until the road surface has formed a dense crust), moisture can penetrate the gravel layer.

What You Can Do to Help

1. Slow down
   Travelling quickly on gravel roads causes more dust, more potholes and more corrugations.

2. If possible, keep heavy vehicles off the road when it has been raining
   Roads are more vulnerable when saturated and heavy vehicles can cause significant damage to a wet road, especially one that has just been graded. In wet conditions, try to postpone truck movements until the road has dried out.

3. Understand the nature of gravel roads
   At times they will be rough and muddy or dusty; does the road really need grading now?

4. Drive to suit the conditions
   Drivers are responsible for their own safety and that of other users of the road. If a road is known to be rough or slippery, drive at an appropriate speed.

5. Expect the unexpected
   Never assume a gravel road is going to be the same as it was the last time you drove on it, even if it is on the same day.

The Shire of Donnybrook Balingup appreciates the cooperation of road users.

The Heavy Vehicles RAV (Restricted Access Vehicle) Network

A heavy vehicle is restricted to only using roads within the Permit Network corresponding to its class. The Permit Networks are RAV Networks 1 to 10; RAV Network 1 includes most Public Roads within the State of WA, and RAV Networks 2 to 10 comprised of the roads on which the corresponding classes of vehicles are permitted (subject to additional conditions in some cases).

The Shire works closely with Main Roads WA (MRWA) to manage heavy vehicles operation through-out the district. The current Permit approved RAV roads are shown in the MRWA RAV Mapping Tool, which also includes Local Government roads.

Use the RAV Mapping Tool

The Shire requires an application to be submitted for heavy vehicle accessing the approved Shire roads. If the road is not already part of the approved RAV network, or to browse the information and permits you may need to apply for, please refer to the MRWA Heavy Vehicle website below. 

MRWA: Heavy Vehicles

Information on speed limits (speeding / hooning)

The Shire, like all local government bodies, does not have the authority or power to enforce the road rules. The Western Australian Police Force (WAPOL) can assist with any queries or concerns you may have. 

In the case of an emergency, please call 000.

To report report a nuisance or concern, please contact the Donnybrook Police Station:

• Open Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm
• (08) 9732 3333
• 50 South Western Highway, Donnybrook WA 6239

www.police.wa.gov.au

If you have concerns about the speed limit in an area, you can request a Speed Limit Review through Main Roads WA (MRWA).

Main Roads WA (MRWA) are the responsible authority on determining speed zones and the erection of speed zone signage in accordance with Australian Standards. For MRWA to consider a speed limit review on a local road, a written request with supporting documentation of traffic and speed studies needs to be submitted by the Local Government first.

To begin this process, the Shire requires a written request to be submitted to shire@donnybrook.wa.gov.au outlining the road/locality of concern. An assessment of the request (which includes collection and analysis of supporting data) will then be undertaken to determine whether there is enough supporting evidence to refer the request to MRWA.

When reviewing a speed limit, MRWA requires it must meet the below:

• Roadside development to be partially or fully built up.
• Dedicated precinct, area or reserve.
• Minimum total road width of 5.5 metres.
• Requires specific amount of residences, commercial buildings, schools, parks, light industries etc.
• Service roads not included.
• Marked roads.
• Road function must fit criteria.
• School zones.
• Existing lighting, signage etc.
• Daily traffic use.
• Reported crashes.
• Reported speeding Incidents.

Given the amount of data required, this can be a lengthy process and does not always result in requests being supported by MRWA. For further information, please view the Speed Zones information on the MRWA website linked below.

MRWA: Information on Speed Zones