Repairs costing almost $500,000 have recently been undertaken on the road surface of the Southern Ports Highway between Millicent and Beachport.

The State Government’s Department of Transport and Infrastructure arranged for the $470,000 pavement patching works to address the priority defects.

Furthermore, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis said resurfacing works between the Southend turn-off and Wattle Road near Millicent have been identified and are included in his departmental works program in 2023/24.

He said his department was aware of the poor condition of sections of the road.

The Minister put his assurances in writing after receiving a complaint from Member for MacKillop Nick McBride.

Mr Koutsantonis said this 35km section of the Southern Ports Highway was subject to regular scrutiny as with all such roads in his jurisdiction.

He said it was inspected each fortnight via a maintenance loop.

“A maintenance crew within that loop checks the road for any defects, recording major defects and rectifying minor issues right away,” Mr Koutsantonis said.

“This includes potholes, removal of litter, dead animals and excess debris, graffiti, damage to signs etc.

“These loops are undertaken in addition to call-outs or any programmed maintenance works.”

Meanwhile, the unsatisfactory state of some State Government roads has been brought to the attention of the department and its contractors by Wattle Range Council.

The August monthly council meeting was told by its engineering services director Peter Halton there were problems with the Mile Hill Road at Glencoe and Ridge Terrace in Millicent.