Canterbury-Bankstown Council election: Drivers frustrated by potholes after road funding redirected to Ramadan Night Markets
Fed-up drivers are demanding change following revelations a Sydney council spent $1m in road maintenance funding on night markets, leaving the area with some of the state’s worst potholes.
The Express
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Fed-up drivers are demanding change following revelations a southwest Sydney council spent $1m in road maintenance funding on night markets, leaving the area with some of the state’s worst potholes.
Canterbury-Bankstown registered the third most pothole-related calls for help across NSW, according to a recent NRMA survey, while state government data has identified some of the area’s roads as being among the worst for recurring defects.
Residents are now calling for change at the upcoming local council election, as frustrations mount over the city’s poor road quality.
Their call follows revelations, in a report, that the council used $1m in funds from its road repairs and maintenance budgets to cover the overblown costs of this year’s Ramadan Night Markets in Lakemba.
The April 30 council report states the funds were used as a “one-off saving” following a $10m state government grant awarded to the council for roads maintenance.
A council spokesman clarified none of the state grant funding had been used for the night markets.
Bankstown resident Michael Nguyen, 25, said potholes were not only damaging to cars, but could potentially be critical or fatal for motorcyclists like himself.
“I ride a motorbike and, if I go over one, I could get into a really big accident,” he said.
Mr Nguyen said Bankstown and Bass Hill were among the worst places for road defects, with potholes big enough to collect water.
“At the moment, I don’t think (the council) is doing enough to fix them,” he said.
“It’s very hard for people nowadays, especially with cost of living, and if you damage your car that’s another expense.”
“One of my mates just bought a new car, he had it for less than a week and hit a pothole. He had to get his whole tyre replaced and it’s at least $500 per tyre.”
“I ride a motorbike and, if I go over one, I could get into a really big accident,” he said.
Mr Nguyen said Bankstown and Bass Hill were among the worst places for road defects, with potholes big enough to collect water.
“At the moment, I don’t think (the council) is doing enough to fix them,” he said.
“It’s very hard for people nowadays, especially with cost of living, and if you damage your car that’s another expense.”
“One of my mates just bought a new car, he had it for less than a week and hit a pothole. He had to get his whole tyre replaced and it’s at least $500 per tyre.”
Tracey Canejo, 17, said damaged roads made it “stressful” to learn how to drive.
“It’s very difficult considering there’s so many,” she said.
“As a learner driver, it can be a bit stressful because you’re trying so hard to avoid them. Basically, that’s the only thing on your mind, so you swerve to try and avoid them and you could potentially hit another car.”
This year, Transport for NSW has recorded 221 reports of road defects like potholes and cracks. Of those, 192 were attended to.
According to the department, Canterbury Rd, Henry Lawson Dr and the Hume Highway were among the worst roads for recurring defects.
Padstow Heights resident Linda Harvey said it would be an issue she would take to the ballot box.
“(Our roads) are pretty bad, there’s potholes everywhere,” she said.
“It’s bad enough that you have to pay for tolls. When you have to pay extra because you’ve gone into a pothole and it damages your car, it’s a catch 22 in both ways and it’s expensive.
“Council doesn’t do much at all, full stop. They don’t even clean the roads like they used to. So there’s definitely a few things on my mind when I go into (voting). I’m going to be extra alert this time around.”
NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said it was concerning to hear funds dedicated to road maintenance had been redirected for recreational events.
“Without knowing the specifics of (the) council diverting funds to cover costs of a night market, what I would say is that ratepayers have an expectation and a right to drive on safe roads,” he said.
“That’s why ratepayers pay their rates, that's why they pay their taxes: with the expectation that those roads are maintained to that standard because, more than anything else, it is a safety concern.”
Mr Khoury said it was imperative the council prioritised road maintenance during drier weather.
“This is the time when we would want councils to go lifting and fixing those roads,” Mr Khoury said.
“And I don’t mean superficial patch jobs, actually properly lifting the existing bitumen and repaving.
“The longer it takes, the bigger the potholes and the worse the damage.”
A council spokeswoman said: “The NRMA report, while not surprising, is not a true reflection, as Canterbury-Bankstown is one of the largest local government areas, covering nearly 1000km of roads through 40 suburbs.”
Correction: The article previously referenced comments made by councillor Charbel Abouraad during the August 27 council meeting, in which he incorrectly claimed that $1m from a state government grant had been used for the Ramadan Night Markets in Lakemba.
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