Road Renewal works bring an asset in poor condition back to its original condition or to prolong the life of the road – improving the condition of the road pavement and reducing ongoing maintenance costs.

The Road renewal program consists of various treatments from lower cost resurfacing to higher cost road rehabilitation and reconstruction. It reflects decisions based on robust modelling, a scientific approach, the use of detailed survey data, to prioritise the treatment types of our extensive program. Careful planning, engineering expertise and evidence-based decision-making sits behind every project.

Works include treatments such as crack sealing, rejuvenation, road resurfacing and rehabilitation of the pavement. These renewal works do not provide new infrastructure, such as kerb and gutter or footpaths where they currently do not exist.

This approach allows our road network of over 2,000km, to be managed in a way that uses available funding in an economic and sustainable way.

Planning for road renewal is a detailed process that considers a range of factors to ensure we invest where it’s needed most. Council identifies roads for renewal works based on best practice management with consideration to road condition, road classification, traffic volumes, work history and maintenance costs, and uses an advanced Pavement Management System which models the Central Coast road network and produces an improved program, which allows for long term planning.

In July 2024, Council completed a full road network condition survey ensuring we have the most accurate and up to date information possible on every road in the network. We also completed an independent review of our practices to ensure that the way we prioritise road renewal projects and develop road renewal programs is as effective as possible and uses the latest road asset industry best practice and innovation.

Keeping our roads in good condition is about more than just smooth driving – it’s essential for safety, accessibility, and supporting our local economy. Roads that are regularly maintained are safer for all users, reduce vehicle wear and tear, and help keep traffic flowing efficiently. 

Without ongoing renewal, small problems like cracks or surface wear can quickly become larger more expensive issues. If these issues are left too long, roads can deteriorate to the point where full reconstruction is needed which is significantly more costly and disruptive.

By investing in a timely road renewal program, Council helps prevent an increase to our infrastructure backlog. Our well-planned and considered road renewal program is part of our proactive approach to managing this risk, ensuring we get the best value for money while keeping our road network safe and reliable for the future. We have several strategies to address the backlog of work and improve overall road network to better meet community expectations and priorities, such as:

• Increase investment, with an additional $20 million on road renewal over the next four years.
• Advocate for more grant funding from Australian and NSW governments
• Align future budgets with cost forecasting.
• Use of innovative technologies to reduce the costs of renewal works.
• Extend the life of completed road renewals.

Each financial year, funding for the Road Renewal Program is incorporated within the Operational Plan, which is part of Council’s Integrated Planning and Reporting framework.

This process starts with Council preparing a four year Delivery Program and a detailed one-year Operational Plan, which sets out the specific actions, projects and services to be delivered included road renewal works. 

The Operational Plan is placed on public exhibition each year to give the community a chance to provide feedback. After considering submissions, the final Operational Plan is adopted by Council. The Road Renewal Program itself is informed by a range of technical and strategic inputs based on robust modelling, a scientific approach, the use of detailed survey data, to prioritise the treatment types of our extensive program. Careful planning, engineering expertise and evidence-based decision-making sits behind every project.

The 10-year program is reviewed and updated at least annually to reflect significant weather events, updated road condition data, contractor availability and funding opportunities. 

Once the current year Road Renewal Program is adopted by Council, the program is published on Council’s interactive Capital Works Map so residents can see what’s planned or underway in their local area. To explore current road renewal projects, as well as other Council capital works projects visit our interactive Capital Works Map. The map updated monthly with project details and progress.

Council will notify you in advance to help you prepare and minimise any inconvenience for renewal works scheduled for your road.

Residents and businesses directly affected by the roadworks will receive a letter outlining the type of works, expected start and finish times, work duration and any temporary access changes. This letter may also have a contractor detail as well as a Council contact officer for enquiries. To assist with carrying out of work you may be asked to park your vehicles off the road to allow works to be undertaken.

For major roadworks and any projects where traffic changes are required, information will be shared through Council’s Road Closures website and in some cases, social media, and local media channels. 

Any projects requiring full road closures will be placed on Live Traffic which is also distributed through navigational apps such as Google Maps, Apple Maps and Waze, etc.

This is a great question — and one we hear often. 

Some roads receive treatment before they start to show major signs of damage. This preventative work is one of the most cost-effective ways to extend the life of a road. Just like servicing your car before it breaks down, treating a road early helps avoid bigger, more expensive repairs later.

We understand it can be frustrating to see a rough road that hasn’t been renewed yet. In some cases, these roads may already be scheduled for a more significant treatment like rehabilitation, which takes more time and funding to plan and deliver. In other cases, a road may look bad on the surface but still be structurally sound underneath, meaning it doesn’t yet meet the criteria for renewal.

Our road network is assessed using technical inspections, condition ratings, traffic volumes, and safety data. We also factor in available budgets and how much value each treatment offers over time. Roads that can be preserved with a simple treatment now are prioritised to avoid costly full rebuilds later which helps us manage the entire network more efficiently.

In short, we’re not ignoring the rough roads, but we’re also working smarter to protect and maintain as many roads as possible within available funding limits.

If your road isn’t currently included in the 10-year Road Renewal Program, it means based on Council’s latest data and inspections it doesn’t yet meet the threshold for renewal works. Our roads are regularly assessed using technical criteria and available funding, with those roads in better condition not prioritised in current programs. It could also mean that your road has recently received a treatment or that it is in good condition. 

However, this doesn’t mean your road is being overlooked, Council continues to proactively inspect and maintain all roads across the region. Council’s Maintenance Staff and Infrastructure Officers routinely inspect the wider road network and associated infrastructure with any defects identified, such as potholes, scheduled for repairs in accordance with our current service levels and on a priority risk basis. Through our routine maintenance program defects, such as pothole repairs, edge breaks, drainage works or line marking, are undertaken to ensure our roads remain safe and functional.

The 10-year program is reviewed and updated at least annually. If your road’s condition changes or new issues are identified, it may be added in at a future update. Additionally, Council also actively seeks grant funding opportunities from the New South Wales and Australian governments to help accelerate delivery of road renewal works, meaning some roads may be renewed sooner if additional funding becomes available.

Council determines which type of work to carry out across our assets in consideration of the asset condition, engineering technical assessment and requirements, budget allocations and community needs.  Managing and maintaining our network of assets is a core part of what we do. 

Upgrades improve an existing asset by adding new infrastructure such as the construction of street drainage, kerb and gutter, often pathways along with a new road pavement. Road and drainage upgrades including requests for new kerb and gutter, pathways and street drainage, and are listed for consideration of funding through Council’s Capital Works Program.  

With Council currently focusing on road renewal for the next four years and likely beyond, there is little opportunity to fund new road infrastructure outside of delivering existing grant funded projects or developer contribution funded works.

Renewal works are carried out to restore or extend the useful life of the assets in maintaining the productivity of the asset over time. It involves carrying out works to ensure the asset continues to function effectively and efficiently.  These renewal program budgets are primarily set based on depreciation of the assets. Depreciation is the reduction of value in the asset, over the useful life of that asset.

Extensive maintenance works, reactive and proactive, are carried out every year on Council assets to ensure the useability and keep the assets in as near as practical to its new condition.  Examples of maintenance works on our road network includes filling potholes on local roads and undertaking a heavy patch treatment to address a cluster of potholes. Maintenance works do not increase the service potential of an asset, it slows down deterioration and delays when renewal is necessary.
 

Council is committed to reducing environmental impacts and building more sustainable road infrastructure for our community. 

We incorporate a range of environmentally responsible practices into the planning and delivery of road renewal projects, wherever possible, including:

• We use recycled road base, reclaimed asphalt, road seal product made with used tyres.
• We select low impact and longer lasting sustainable products such as low-emission binders and utilise energy efficient construction methods.
• Environmental assessments are carried out to guide responsible design and construction.
• During construction, strict erosion and sediment controls are in place to protect our stormwater network and surrounding environment from runoff and pollutants.
• We aim to reduce waste, water use and emissions during construction, while also considering whole of life asset performance to ensure long term sustainability.