Street sweeper goes bush over safety concerns
SOUTHERN Downs Regional Council has defended the use of a street sweeper in the country town of Pratten, saying it was used to allay safety concerns.
Council released a statement after a Warwick region resident alerted the Warwick Daily News to the street sweeper working on partly-sealed roads.
Engineering services director Peter See said a requested had been received for street sweeping to be undertaken at the intersection of Leyburn-Cunningham Road and Ryford - Pratten Road due to the significant presence of loose gravel and debris on the road surface, causing it to be very slippery.
"Council was also aware that more than 500 riders participating in the Cycle Queensland Adventure Tour would be passing through that area today en route from Warwick to Leyburn," he said.
Council's street sweeper undertook this work in Pratten on Tuesday.
The council statement said that in accordance with normal practice, and operational efficiency, also undertook sweeping of additional roads and intersections to clear loose gravel and debris while in the area.
"The roads in question are state-controlled roads, and council is contracted and paid by the Department of Main Roads to undertake such works on their behalf, so there is no truth in the claims that council is misusing ratepayer funds," Mr See said.
"Council has merely undertaken work in response to a safety concern and request."
