Councillors clash over potholes issue in Hemmant street

Councillors as well as a candidate for the next local government election have clashed over the issue of potholes on a Brisbane street.

Labor city councillor for Wynnum Manly Peter Cumming and Labor candidate for Doboy Joanne Culshaw on Canberra St. Picture: Supplied

COUNCILLORS as well as a candidate for the next local government election have clashed over a potholes issue in a Brisbane street.

Labor candidate for Doboy Joanne Culshaw said Labor city councillor for Wynnum Manly Peter Cumming was contacted by a “frustrated resident” of the bayside to fix the pothole-riddled Canberra St Hemmant.

The potholes were reportedly fixed with Ms Culshaw and Mr Cumming saying there were 120 potholes on the street.

“The resident who contacted Peter’s office said she had been trying to get action out of the council for ages but nothing ever happened,” Ms Culshaw said.

“What has Ryan Murphy been doing. How could he have let Canberra St get so run down. It’s a disgrace and shows how out of touch this LNP administration really is.

“It’s a truly staggering amount of potholes and a sorry indictment of Ryan Murphy’s priorities. The LNP are focused on the city centre and have left the suburbs to fend for themselves.

“Thankfully, Peter was able to make things happen.”

Councillor for Doboy Ryan Murphy. Picture: Richard Walker/AAP

However LNP councillor for Doboy Ryan Murphy returned serve at the pair and said the amount of potholes on the street were nowhere near the number Ms Culshaw and Mr Cumming had claimed.

“While approximately sixteen potholes were repaired there recently, the number is nowhere near the absurd claim of 120,” he said.

“Labor’s candidate has failed to get even the most basic details correct.

“Canberra St requires more regular maintenance than streets of comparable length due to the large number of freight and shipping companies located there.

“Due to the impact of heavy vehicles and flooding, the road surface is now at end-of-life and requires complete reconstruction. This is budgeted to cost $1.1 million and will occur in the second half of 2019.”

Mr Murphy said a street of similar length (500M) in his ward, Foxmont Dr, Carina was rebuilt this year and only cost $163,000.

“Roads in industrial areas like Canberra St cop an absolute beating from heavy vehicles and they can get run down, but it’s certainly something we are aware of and monitor closely,” he said.

Mr Murphy said Brisbane City Council crews had repaired more than 70,000 potholes in the past financial year and 5900 potholes were filled on average each month.