3 July 2026
Southern Downs residents will be able to track gravel road maintenance across the region, with Council’s Unsealed Road Maintenance Grading Program schedule now available online, providing regularly updated information on current and planned works.
The online schedule will outline work locations to help residents, businesses and road users stay informed of upgrades being delivered across more than 1,600 kilometres of unsealed Council roads.
Mayor Melissa Hamilton said questions about when a road is to be graded is one of the most common enquiries to Council staff and Councillors.
“By making our grading schedule available online and updating it regularly, we’re giving residents transparency on where works are happening and helping them stay informed about improvements across the region,” Mayor Hamilton said.
“In adopting our Operational Plan for 2026-27 this is one of the great initiatives that Councillors pushed for, knowing it will make a big difference to residents who live on or use gravel roads.
Guided by Council’s Road Asset and Service Management Master Plan, the road grading program uses road classification and traffic volumes to determine maintenance schedules across the network, including collector roads, access roads, minor access roads, formed roads and road reserves.
Traffic data, measured through Average Annual Daily Traffic, helps determine how frequently roads are graded. Higher-use roads are maintained more regularly, while lower-volume roads are inspected and maintained based on safety requirements.
Regular inspections are carried out to identify issues such as potholes, corrugations, rutting, scouring, drainage problems and loss of surface material, allowing Council teams to respond proactively.
Cr Morwenna Harslett, portfolio councillor for Connected Communities, said prioritising works across such a large network requires a flexible approach.
“We consider a range of factors, including how many vehicles use the road, the type of vehicles, the severity of any damage and how the road connects to the broader transport network,” she said.
“Our teams are constantly monitoring conditions to make sure we are responding where it matters most.”
Maintenance activities include light, medium and heavy grading works, as well as minor gravel resheeting to restore and strengthen road surfaces, ensuring roads remain accessible and safe for all users.
The program also adapts to changing conditions, with weather events, extended dry periods, water availability and community feedback all influencing delivery.
“Conditions on unsealed roads can change quickly, particularly after rain or during dry periods,” Cr Harslett said.
“This makes our road grading schedule a two-way street. Now drivers can see the forward grading schedule as well as reporting road issues and hazards through the MY SDRC App.”
A full list of current and planned works is available on Council’s website at under Grading Gravel Roads at:
Maintaining our Roads - Southern Downs Regional Council.
Last edited date 03 Jul 2026