Gravel roads

We maintain the safety and efficiency of our gravel roads by using best practices together with the best available products. These products are carefully selected to provide a durable and safe driving surface.

The availability of suitable quarry products can vary from year to year. As a result, the composition of gravel used on our roads may change periodically.

The nature of gravel roads

Gravel roads are common across Greater Geelong and connect our communities in many areas. The condition of a gravel road can change frequently due to product composition, weather, traffic volumes and driver behaviours.

Gravel roads are porous and react more readily to environmental conditions. This can result in dust, corrugations and potholes. They don't provide the same driving conditions as sealed roads.

While we aim for a high standard for gravel roads, we acknowledge that gravel roads by their nature, do not offer the same level of service, smoothness, and all-weather reliability as sealed roads.

Gravel surfaces are susceptible to wear and tear, which can result in changes in their condition over time, especially in adverse weather conditions.

Gravel products

Product availability and quality can vary from year to year. As a result, the composition of the gravel used on our roads changes periodically. When undertaking maintenance works, we select the best materials available at that time.

We source our gravel from local quarries - products from various quarries are sourced at different times, depending on availability and quality.

We are committed to continually improving our gravel road network and ensuring that it remains safe for all users. We appreciate your understanding as we aim to deliver the best service within our means.

Current gravel products – dust analysis

The dust generated by the gravel products used on our road network has been tested to ensure it is safe to human health. Independent analysis undertaken in 2024 of three products used on our road network – COGG8 Blend, Gherang and Tuckers gravel – showed all products are safe.

Samples were taken from different locations, in different speed zones and after three days of good weather (to ensure dry surfaces would generate maximum dust).

Dust analysis results

Legend:

• Within Safe Limits
• Outside Safe Limits

Gravel road inspections

We regularly inspect our gravel roads to assess their condition – we undertake proactive and reactive inspections.

Under our proactive program, all gravel roads across Greater Geelong are inspected every four, six, 12, or 24 months, aligning with the RMP hierarchy. This systematic approach ensures a comprehensive evaluation of gravel roads at specified intervals.

Between these proactive assessments, our reactive program responds to community requests. We will inspect gravel roads when we are notified that there is an issue.

During inspections, our team visits the location to assess the road for various defects such as potholes and corrugations. If the defects meet the specified intervention level, we arrange for necessary repairs to ensure community safety and asset integrity.

Gravel road maintenance

We are responsible for ensuring gravel roads are safe and driveable. The level of service we provide aligns with our Road Management Plan. Our service standards for gravel roads are:

• To maintain the road as outlined in our Road Management Plan
• To assess the suitability of available local quarry products to ensure they meet the requirements of our region and general specifications of the Australia Road Research Board

Our Road Management Plan does not offer dust suppression as a standard service - further information is available on our dust suppression webpage.

We are responsible for maintaining gravel roads. Our Road Management Plan (RMP) details:

• Road hierarchy and service levels: a description of the road hierarchy and the corresponding service levels for each category, including gravel roads.
• Defects and intervention levels: a list of defects and corresponding intervention levels, determining when repairs become necessary.
• Repair timelines: the RMP specifies the timeframes for repairs to be completed.

Examples of road defects and intervention levels are:

• Potholes – greater than 75mm in depth and 500mm in diameter
• Corrugations – greater than 75mm in depth and greater than 250m in length

Our intervention levels provide a reasonable tolerance before repairs are needed, allowing us to prioritise gravel road maintenance.

We will undertake maintenance works on gravel roads when a defect reaches or exceeds intervention levels. Prioritising repairs is based on the severity of the defect. This approach guarantees a timely and responsive resolution to ensure community safety and asset integrity.

Gravel road upgrades

Strategic need

When a strategic need is identified to upgrade a gravel road to a sealed road, we will apply for state or federal government grant funding. This ensures the best value for the Greater Geelong community.

Operational benefit

Sealing a gravel road is very expensive. In most cases we can continue to maintain a gravel road over 20 years for less than it costs to rebuild and seal the road.

However, sometimes we will identify an operational benefit to sealing a gravel road - this is when the maintenance costs are higher than rebuilding and sealing the road.

Road upgrade projects that we fund (for example: from gravel to sealed surface) are prioritised based on their benefit to cost ratio score.

Programming is subject to assessment against other gravel road upgrade projects and annual budget funding.

Special Rates and Charges Scheme

An option property owners may consider is a Special Rates and Charges (SRC) scheme. This means a group of local property owners, together with the City, will co-fund a project which might otherwise not be constructed. Gravel road upgrades are a type of project that we support under an SRC arrangement.

When residents seek a higher standard of road, we will consider:

• the demand for a higher level of service than a gravel road can provide
• the proposal is not being delivered under an operational or strategic upgrade in next five years
• property owners are willing to contribute to the cost of constructing a sealed road. 

Driver responsibilities

Driving to the conditions of a road is important, particularly when travelling on gravel roads. Gravel roads are unable to perform like sealed roads.

Drivers can contribute to the safety and longevity of gravel roads. Driving at lower speeds results in less dust - in our rural communities, residents appreciate less dust.

• Reduce speeds - drive at a safe, legal and appropriate speed for the road conditions
• Drive safely and carefully in adverse weather conditions - exercise caution during wet weather, as gravel roads may become slippery or less stable
• Look for road signs - be attentive to signs indicating road conditions, speed limits or potential hazards
• Report hazards - if you encounter road hazards or damage, please let us know by submitting a request online, via the Geelong Australia App (download to your smart phone) or by calling 03 5272 5272.

Thank you for your understanding and for ensuring the safety of our roads and the amenity of rural areas.