A petition has begun to force the state government to take immediate action by proving funding to deliver a permanent infrastructure solution to the section of road known as ‘The Thorpdale Slip’ on Mirboo North-Trafalgar Road, eight kilometres south of Trafalgar.
Organised by Darnum resident who regularly uses the road, Irene Broadbent, the petition draws the attention of the Victorian parliament’s Legislative Assembly (lower House) to the poor state of the Thorpdale slip, which, according to the preamble in the petition, continues to worsen due to the lack of appropriate funding.
Locals say it has been an issue for more than 50 years.
Ken Rogers, who lives just off the road south of The Thorpdale Slip with his wife Sue, travels on the section of the road at least two times most days of the week.
“The Thorpdale Road slip must be one of Victoria’s longest running road problems,” said Ken.
“For more than 50 years we’ve watched surveys and studies come and go, yet the slip remains and the road continues to move sideways down the hill.
“What frustrates locals is that it is the gateway to one of the state’s most fertile and picturesque farming districts.
“Victoria can build tunnels beneath the Yarra River and deliver major engineering projects, yet a permanent solution to this landslip still seems beyond reach.
“After half a century, locals are entitled to ask when will the talking stop and the fixing start, concluded Ken
Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) advised that landslide activity affects the area around Mirboo North-Trafalgar Road and requires detailed assessment and consideration for repairs, and that routine maintenance crews have undertaken recent works along this location and continue to conduct fortnightly inspections of the road to monitor hazards.
A DTP spokesperson said, “Investigations into short and long-term plans for Mirboo North-Trafalgar Road are currently underway.
“‘This is a complex site, with a long history of movement, and a thorough investigation is required to ensure a safe and sustainable solution is identified.
“We will continue to make sure people can keep moving while these investigations continue”.
A permanent solution to the issue is required as the Thorpdale Slip section of the road is subject to constant movement, which is said to be pushing the critical road down the hill.
Consequently, DTP is constantly required to rebuild the section of road using gravel and temporary solutions.
This is considered a dangerous section of the road for local users, such as school buses, heavy vehicles, primary producers and other road users that have no alternative route through the area.
Thorpdale and the surrounding areas are some of the most important primary production areas in Victoria, with 70 percent of brushed potatoes transported through the area annually.
The failure to permanently repair and upgrade The Thorpdale Slip section of the road is placing countless Victorians who use the road at risk every day according to the petition’s preamble.
Interested people who wish to sign the petition on-line can do so by typing in ‘Mirboo North-Trafalgar Road petition’ into their favourite search engine.
Alternatively, hard copies of the petition can be found in Trafalgar at BKs, IGA and The Spud Shed supermarket, as well as Thorpdale bakery, craft shop and hotel, plus Gippsland Food and Wine at Yarragon.
