The East Pilbara Shire in northern Western Australia is confronting a severe road maintenance crisis, exacerbated by the impacts of Cyclone Zelia earlier this year. The Shire is larger than both Victoria and Tasmania put together, 372,000 square kilometers to be precise. Additionally, it performs the major responsibility of keeping 3,200 kilometers of gravel roads. This extensive, largely unsealed network is vital for the movement of residents, teachers, doctors and essential services across the remote outback region.
Back in August, Shire CEO Steve Harding wrote to WA Minister for Emergency Services Paul Papalia. He lamented how the road recovery efforts had stopped since February. Non-profit group the Shire has calculated that mind-boggling $60 million is needed just to fix the roads battered by the cyclone. Local leaders submitted the winning application on the Regional Road Group’s recent $3 million funding round. Today, they’re calling for more help from state and federal governments to face the increasing burden.
Road Conditions Deteriorate
Residents of the small East Pilbara Shire community are facing tragic consequences from their current crumbling road facilities. Anthony Middleton, the Shire President, reported that suspension-rattling corrugations and approximately 20 washed-out river crossings pose serious obstacles for travel. Yet as of last week, the Shire’s website still listed ten major roads closed with flood damage. This closure deters access for residents and impedes travel of emergency vehicles.
Middleton noted that the road maintenance program is basically unalterable. Now the Shire has completely ceased grading private pastoral roads and airstrips. This important decision demonstrates the continuing reality of limited resources, the desire to prioritize public roadways first, and the continuing effects of budget constraints. Now, local leaders are calling on state and federal governments to step up. They think that repairs, which would cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, should be done right away.
Financial Challenges in Road Recovery
It’s hard to overstate the financial implications. Around 12 months ago, government estimates found that if all roads were re-sheeted, that would cost something like $200 million. Cyclone Zelia’s aftermath has pushed that count up an additional $60 million from the initial estimate. With the recent uptick, this brings the total to a threatening $260 million.
The Shire’s leadership is advocating for a roundtable discussion with state and federal officials to develop a comprehensive plan for road funding and improvements. Middleton highlighted the immediate necessity for collective action and increased funding. Without these moves, flooding only gets worse impacting public assets and quality of life.
Community Response and Local Governance
Much more than the damage and distress from bad road conditions, shocking anger from this community. The Marble Bar community is fighting back and showing that residents won’t be bullied. They’ve gotten as far as forcing a no-confidence vote in the Shire’s CEO over perceived mismanagement of road maintenance disputes. Yet this sentiment illustrates a quickly escalating frustration among the residents who rely on these roads to access their everyday lives and run their businesses.
Local leaders are feeling the pressure as they strive to balance limited resources with the urgent requirement for infrastructure repairs. The East Pilbara Shire’s enormous size and long-distance, isolated communities exacerbate these challenges even further, making quick and efficient responses all the more essential.
