There are 417 kilometres of footpaths to be checked which will take approximately three weeks to complete by contractors on quad bikes.
Council’s Director Infrastructure Steve Bowmaker says the quad bikes carry sensitive electronic equipment designed to pick up the roughness, unevenness, cracking and lifting of footpaths. “The bikes also film the entire footpath network with HD digital cameras for Council staff to review jobs while at a computer,” said Mr Bowmaker.
“The process provides Council with a full report on the condition of our footpath network. We then use the report to program future capital works targeting those footpaths in very poor condition,” he said.
“The data also provides Council with information to develop a maintenance program where small rectification works are required. If we receive a complaint by phone we can actually bring up the footage and look at it while on the phone to customers.”
Mr Bowmaker said it was an efficient way for Council to conduct the extensive survey. “Council’s contracted quad bike riders carry identification and have an information flyer to hand out to residents who want to know what they are doing.”
Enquiries can be directed to Council on 5832 9700.