Geelong residents are demanding answers after a series of manhole cover failures created traffic chaos and safety concerns along Cheesmans Road, sparking a heated debate among local councillors.
Council Meeting Erupts Over Infrastructure Crisis
The issue came to a head during Tuesday's City of Greater Geelong council meeting when Councillor Ron Nelson raised the alarming situation that has been plaguing the Corio area. Multiple manhole covers have been collapsing under vehicle weight, creating dangerous potholes and forcing traffic to navigate around the hazards.
Councillor Nelson didn't mince words when describing the severity of the problem. "We've got manhole covers that are failing all over the place," he told the chamber. The situation has become so dire that some covers are now sitting approximately 100 millimetres below the road surface, creating significant trip hazards and vehicle damage risks.
Resident Safety Takes Center Stage
The discussion took an emotional turn when Councillor Eddy Kontelj shared a personal account that highlighted the very real dangers facing residents. Kontelj revealed that his own mother had been directly affected by the infrastructure failure when she recently drove over one of the compromised manhole covers.
The incident caused damage to his mother's vehicle, bringing the abstract infrastructure problem into sharp, personal focus for the councillor and his colleagues. This firsthand account underscored how the failing manhole covers aren't just a bureaucratic issue but are actively harming community members and their property.
Immediate Action and Long-Term Solutions
In response to the growing crisis, council officers have been directed to take immediate measures to address the most dangerous sites. Temporary repairs are underway, but councillors acknowledge these are stopgap solutions to a potentially systemic problem.
The council has committed to investigating whether this is an isolated issue or part of a broader infrastructure challenge affecting multiple areas across Geelong. Comprehensive testing of manhole covers throughout the municipality is being considered to prevent similar incidents elsewhere.
Local residents have expressed frustration with the situation, noting that the recurring problems on Cheesmans Road have created ongoing traffic disruptions and safety concerns. Many are calling for more durable materials and better installation practices to prevent future failures.
The City of Greater Geelong has assured residents that addressing this infrastructure failure remains a priority, with both short-term safety measures and long-term solutions being explored to ensure the reliability of the city's road network.
