Annual renewal program - Roads - Major patching

Resealing is effective when a road’s underlying pavement is still structurally sound. However, when localised pavement failures occur, resealing alone will not address the underlying issues. In these cases, major patching is required to restore the strength of the pavement before the road can be resealed in future years.

Major patching is used when:

• The road has isolated structural failures rather than widespread deterioration
• The pavement needs strengthening or stabilisation in specific locations
• The road is not yet suitable for resealing, but full reconstruction is not required
• Early intervention will extend the life of the road and reduce long‑term costs

This approach ensures that Council invests in the right treatment at the right time, preventing small defects from becoming major failures.

Major patching can be delivered using two main methods and is used to repair structural failures:

1. Asphalt Patching

Used when the failure is limited to the upper pavement layers. This involves:

• Cold planing to remove damaged asphalt
• Disposal of removed material at an EPA‑approved facility
• Placement of new asphalt
• Sealing joins with bitumen emulsion
• Reinstating line marking and RRPMs

2. Stabilised Patching

Used when the pavement base has failed. This involves:

• Pulverising the existing pavement
• Mixing in stabilising agents (e.g., cement, lime, foamed bitumen)
• Compacting and reshaping the base
• Applying a new asphalt surface

Stabilised patching restores structural integrity, making the road suitable for future resealing.

Each year, Council identifies priority patching sites through a structured assessment process that includes:

• Reviewing asset condition audit data
• Conducting ground‑truth inspections of shortlisted locations
• Assessing safety risks, traffic volumes and community benefit
• Aligning works with available funding and future resealing schedules

This ensures major patching is delivered where it will have the greatest impact on road performance and safety.

The Annual Major Patching Program includes both asphalt patching and stabilised patching, depending on the condition of the pavement and the type of failure present.

Typical activities include:

• Traffic management — ensuring safe work zones for road users and workers.
• Community notification — informing nearby residents and businesses of upcoming works.
• Cold planing — progressively removing damaged asphalt to expose a sound base.
• Asphalt patching — supplying and placing new asphalt to restore the road surface.
• Stabilised patching — strengthening the pavement by mixing binders into the existing base material.
• Bitumen emulsion treatment — sealing joins between new and existing pavement.
• Line marking reinstatement — replacing all pavement markings and RRPMs.
• Environmental compliance — disposing of removed asphalt at EPA‑approved facilities.
• Permits and approvals — obtaining any required authorisations for the works.

Major patching plays a vital role in keeping the shire’s sealed roads safe and functional. The program:

• Restores structural integrity to damaged sections
• Prevents small failures from spreading
• Prepares roads for future resealing
• Extends the life of the existing pavement
• Reduces the need for costly full reconstructions

By investing in major patching each year, Council ensures that the community continues to benefit from a safe, reliable and well‑maintained road network.

Asphalt renewal works programmed and completed in February 2026.

• Stabilised Patching Project
  • Back Eddington Road, Baringhup West
  • Nevens Road, Yandoit Hills

     

• Asphalt Patching Project
  • Ireland Street, McKenzie Hill
  • Langslow Street (at the intersection with Sluicers Road), Castlemaine
  • Sarah Coopey Lane, Castlemaine
  • Forest Street, Castlemaine
  • Campbells Creek-Fryers Road (at the intersection with Blanket Gully Road), Campbells Creek
  • Baringhup West Road, Baringhup