Alice Springs Town Council examining possibility of ‘warranty period’ after road work debacle

Roads melting in the hot sun – ahead of summer – in the Red Centre left a local council questioning the possibility of a ‘warranty period’ for roadworks completed by the government.

‘Bitumen bleed’ is being labelled as the reason why recently resurfaced Hartley St, Alice Springs, required emergency works. Picture: Gera Kazakov

A “warranty period” on government works is being sought by one Northern Territory council in the wake of roads melting in the hot sun in the Red Centre capital – as an estimate is given on how much resurfacing works are set to cost.

Tuesday’s Alice Springs Town Council ordinary council meeting saw councillor Eli Melky ask if it was possible to get a “warranty period” on roadworks completed by the NT government.

The question comes after emergency works were rushed to be completed on Hartley St, Bath St, and Gregory Tce in the Alice Springs CBD at the beginning of October.

Speaking to ABC radio at the time, infrastructure minister Bill Yan said issues on the three roads were caused by “bitumen bleed”.

Emergency works on Hartley St in early October. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Council technical services director Joel Andrew answered Mr Melky at the council meeting and said he would ask the government if a “warranty period” was available for future resurfacing works planned for the three roads.

Mr Andrew estimated it would cost in the “millions of dollars” to resurface the three impacted roads.

Holes in the bitumen on Hartley St. Picture: Gera Kazakov

“Rest assured we won’t be taking over until we’re satisfied that the works are complete to a standard that means the ratepayers aren’t going to be footing the bill,” he said.

The three roads were originally resurfaced as part of the delayed $20 million Alice Springs CBD revitalisation project.

Mr Andrew reassured Mr Melky the council completed a variety of checks on all work before handover.

A Department of Logistics and Infrastructure spokesperson said water trucks would be spraying the roads.

The spraying would not require Hartley St, Bath St, or Gregory Tce to close, they said.

“The Department is intending to replace the current seal with asphalt in November,” they said.