Committee inquiry into Alice Springs CBD road debacle open, public called on for submissions

Bungled roadworks in the Red Centre that resulted buses not being able to use melting roads are being investigated.

‘Bitumen bleed’ is being labelled as the reason recently resurfaced Hartley St, Alice Springs, is shut to buses and cars are not allowed to park on the road. Picture: Gera Kazakov

With “bitumen bleed” stemmed by night works in the Alice Springs CBD, an investigation into why it happened in the first place has begun, with the public being called for submissions.

The Public Accounts Committee has opened an inquiry into government roadworks which were undertaken in the Alice Springs CBD.

In early October, roadworks completed in July for Hartley St, Gregory Tce, Leichhardt Tce, and Bath St began melting in the heat.

Gravel on Hartley St in November. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Buses were unable to use the roads for day, cars weren’t allowed to park.

Water trucks sprayed the roads, and gravel was laid as a temporary fix.

Infrastructure and Logistics Minister Bill Yan told ABC radio the recently resurfaced roads had suffered “bitumen bleed”.

In the wake of the debacle, the Alice Springs Town Council was examining the possibility of a “warranty period” for government works, while independent Araluen MLA Robyn referred the matter to the public accounts committee.

Left: Emergency works on Hartley St. Right: Araluen MLA Robyn Lambley

“The people of Alice Springs are entitled to know exactly what happened and why such glaring mistakes were made. As taxpayers, this is the very least we deserve,” Ms Lambley said.

On December 12, the committee opened its inquiry into the roadworks, committee chair Clinton Howe said.

“We have currently called for submissions, which is open to the public, and close on Friday, January 24,” he said.

“Once we have received all submissions and read through them, the committee will convene shortly afterwards to decide our next step, which would likely be a public hearing held in Alice Springs.

Holes in the bitumen on Hartley St, before the night works were completed. Picture: Gera Kazakov

“Specific timeliness will be dictated by the information provided both during the submission process and any public hearings that would be held.”

On December 8, the Department of Logistics and Infrastructure began night works to resurface the affected roads. 

The last section, Hartley St between Parsons St and Gregory Tce, was completed on Thursday, December 19

Originally published as Committee inquiry into Alice Springs CBD road debacle open, public called on for submissions