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Post Info TOPIC: Rural Roads


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Rural Roads


Interesting article today re: Rural Roads.

 

https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/regional-roads-in-dire-state-as-australian-councils-made-to-waste-money-on-grants-tribute-signs-report/ar-AA1jNfeE?ocid=mailsignout&pc=U591&cvid=ccb723a74b65453c840432af95b6b778&ei=34

 

The article refers in part to the ridiculous amount of money Local Councils are required to spend on signage recognising where the grant funds came from.

One ponders just how much wastage there is in Local Government and Federal and State Governments.

That is also not to mention the crazy amount of taxpayer funds wasted on referendums mid term when they should be held in conjunction with Federal elections in the same manner as the referendum on the National Anthem many years ago was done. Waste of time to do so as it turns out, as half our football teams refuse to sing it anyway.

Common logic tells you about the economies of scale in holding "referennnems" in conjunction with a Federal Election whilst all staff are fully engaged and the count is smaller and quicker anyway, so of little inconvenience. Of course the dingbat we have in place now would never consider such a thing or recognise an extra 18 months or so to develop draft legislation would have sold his favourite topic far better. As they say, you cannot put brains in a statue.

Unfortunately stamping out the need for expensive, useless, attention diverting hazardous signs on the side of roads giving the respective govts a pat on the back for spending "our" money will never be done away with. We will continue to be governed by airheads. A mate rang me not long after I read the article above, whinging about our rates incremented annually at 10% annually over 4 years. I said think ourselves lucky, Goulburn (another amalgamated shire failure) is looking at 50% !!!!

More proof in the pudding that we are governed at all levels by a complete bunch of money wasting, ignorant, incompetent fools.



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Ron



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rmoor wrote:
Of course the dingbat we have in place now would never consider such a thing or recognise an extra 18 months or so to develop draft legislation would have sold his favourite topic far better. As they say, you cannot put brains in a statue.

 I think he deserves more credit for planning than you give him. If the actual proposed legislation or the truth of what it would mean was available it would have been a much higher No vote. So give him credit for using his brains to keep everyone in the dark.

 



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Fair call. He may not also have wanted to interfere with his term two election prospects with a "referennnem" leading up to the next feral election.
He would be better suited as a used car salesman. "Giv me thwifty gwand and when you turn up I wiwll giv you the car of MY choice".
Trying to sell something when we don't know what it is is a very hard task one would think.
On a different note a regular extreme Left winger posted a new thread on here just now paying out on we right wing morons and I replied, with what I thought was reasonable logic and the whole post was removed?? Hmmm? Moderation at it's best.
The events of the last twelve months or so have moved me from being a slightly right wing bias right of centre, to now a Full On Right Wing supporter and a few mates have said the same. I was not a Morrison fan, but he is gone now, maybe some new hope for the future and not the folly and foolishness we are suffering now?

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When Sydney's 3 Northern Beaches Councils amalgamated. All the street signage, like street names were replaced because they all had the previous Councils' logos.



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Even a fresh post about local council signage is a vehicle for political negativity aimed at the current government........sigh!.

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Cuppa wrote:

Even a fresh post about local council signage is a vehicle for political negativity aimed at the current government........sigh!.


 I suppose, you being the thread police, you will have this thread moderated and removed also as it does not suit your left wing dialogue.



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Ron



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rmoor wrote:
Cuppa wrote:

Even a fresh post about local council signage is a vehicle for political negativity aimed at the current government........sigh!.


 I suppose, you being the thread police, you will have this thread moderated and removed also as it does not suit your left wing dialogue.


 rmore you might think you have a point, negative though it is, and you can say it, but in moderate tones and not combatively worded would be my suggestion. Does that suggestion make me a thread police also ! cry

I am not sure why whinging about the g'umm'int is a topic for the forum anyway. Now if you were urging people to seriously consider their choice of representives in a rational manner and get out and try to get better ones or even stand for office I might consider that words well written. But here we just whinge about the people 'we all' voted in and just complain. I would hate to be around in your 'happy hour'.hmm

Jaahn 



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I usually vote for one party- the opposition party at the time. Reason is- honesty and breaking of election promises. Few stick by their promises.

So having said that, I decided decades ago to not involve myself with politics from local to State to Federal. Every time there is a pledge I giggle and sure enough rarely does it happen. As for local Govt I believe there is corruption to some degree in every council.

The rant is over
Tony

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"Now if you were urging people to seriously consider their choice of representives in a rational manner and get out and try to get better ones or even stand for office I might consider that words well written."

A fair statement, although I suspect you may be underestimating the degree of anger in the community at present. In my local community anyway, that I hear from sensible people on a daily basis.

People ringing self, not with disappointment, but sheer anger.

It appears to have been exacerbated since the referendum and when one looks at inflation, including fuel prices, rising interest rates, crazy real estate pushed up with overseas buyers etc, unlawful protests and all of the severely negative issues in society at present, then, you tell me, where does one point the finger???



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Ron



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We commenced or journey south, leaving Toorbul to Kilcoy to Yarramam the roads were excellent to reasonable,. From there to Dalby sure they have Black stuff on them but these roads are as rough as guts, surprise surprise to road to Moonie was bloody good, oh the last leg to Goondawindi in places it was bing on a roller coaster. 

Queen Anna's report card is an F

There is an upside to the day 70 liters consumed for 469k giving us a bit over 15l/100k

Next leg tomorrow sees us head into NSW next stop possibly Narrabri 



-- Edited by Gundog on Tuesday 14th of November 2023 08:05:28 PM

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Today's hop was from Goondawindi to Gilgandra, generally speaking the Newell Highway was pretty good with the occasional rough spot.

So the report card was a solid  B+ none of it could be the part of Chris Minns, the accolades should go to the previous Govt.

Considering the conditions I thought I would experiment with driving  method, against my own advice, I selected  cruise control in almost perfect conditions, CC was set at 92 kph,  the result's for the 440k trip was less than desirable at just under 17l/100k, I would have thought that driving in 4th gear without CC, I expected to have a result of high thirteen or low fourteen, proven again cruise control is not worthwhile towing a caravan.



-- Edited by Gundog on Wednesday 15th of November 2023 09:04:09 PM

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Gundog.
That is pretty much why I bought a manual to tow my little van with.
Like to feel the vehicle and have full control, revs uphill, downhill etc.
You are nearby Gundog.
Gil is a nice town.
Be careful in Dubbo, the crime rate is through the roof at present.
Wellington the same, from reports there are some juveniles (the untouchables) from Moree running riot in Wello at present.
Not sure about conditions in Gilgandra?
One local in his late eighties copped four of these intruders a few weeks ago.
They wanted him to hand over his car keys.
The usual Modus Operandi is to go for a joy ride then burn his vehicle out. (In a total fire ban).
So he pulled a knife on them from the kitchen where he was standing and said - I have lived my life, I don't have long to go, you will end me, but I will take at least one of you with me first, maybe two.
Who wants to be the first?

They left.


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Ron



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rmoor wrote:

Gundog.
That is pretty much why I bought a manual to tow my little van with.
Like to feel the vehicle and have full control, revs uphill, downhill etc.
You are nearby Gundog.
Gil is a nice town.
Be careful in Dubbo, the crime rate is through the roof at present.
Wellington the same, from reports there are some juveniles (the untouchables) from Moree running riot in Wello at present.
Not sure about conditions in Gilgandra?
One local in his late eighties copped four of these intruders a few weeks ago.
They wanted him to hand over his car keys.
The usual Modus Operandi is to go for a joy ride then burn his vehicle out. (In a total fire ban).
So he pulled a knife on them from the kitchen where he was standing and said - I have lived my life, I don't have long to go, you will end me, but I will take at least one of you with me first, maybe two.
Who wants to be the first?

They left.


 Likewise manual for me after filling up we decided to continue on to Peak Hill for the night, today will be either Hay or Moulamein. 



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Long flat drive to Hay eh!!!!
My father did his Air Force training at Tocumwal, recalling his comments I don't think he enjoyed the trips to Hay much in whatever rattly old conveyance he got there in about 1941!!

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Todays hop started in Peak Hill before getting to our planned stop at Hay we decided to push on to Swan Hill and have a 2 night layover.

Road Reports Gilgandra to Forbes was a B, it bit rough in spots.

Forbes to West Wyalong our last leg on the Newell Highway was a marked decline obviously results from past flood damage rated that a C.

Turning on to the Mid Western Hwy at WW to Hay it was a mixed bag giving it a C.

Hay to the Maude T/O on the Stuart Hwy was disappointing for a major Arterial Hwy C+

Turning on to the Maude to Moulamein Rd was a surprise the 65k to Moulamein was mostly sealed the last kay had patches of unsealed and sealed. Considering the last time I travelled this road it was all dirt, worth noting that there is about half a dozen cattle grids but I rated this road a C+. Moulamein is small town which is RV friendly  and has a CP if you are a fisherman it a paradise  to chase thr Mighty Murray Cod, The Edwards River a place to them.

The last leg to Swan Hill is a reasonable road care when crossing the Wakool River is a one lane bridge as is the bridge crossing the Murray into Victoria road rating a B-

 



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rmoor wrote:

Long flat drive to Hay eh!!!!

My father did his Air Force training at Tocumwal, recalling his comments I don't think he enjoyed the trips to Hay much in whatever rattly old conveyance he got there in about 1941!!

My Dad did his Air Force training in Narrandera. Know the road well.   Dad taking us home to Narrandera for Christmas about 1952.  We were in a little wooden frame car. Bench front seat and a dicky seat in the back. A Morris I think. I was standing on the front seat and Mum was changing my younger sister's nappy on her lap.  We were coming from Melbourne, Just before Tocumwal Mum disappeared out the door with sister clutched in her arms. I remember it clearly. The road was so rough and the car rattled so much it took him sometime to realise she had fallen out of the car.  Anyhow, we turned around and fortunately Mum only suffered a nasty gravel graze on one of her legs. sister was fine.  I still remember her washing her leg in the river before travelling on.   Pop being a carpenter fixed one of those sliding bolts to the door for the return trip. 

 



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Front opening suicide doors I assume. biggrin

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biggrin Can't say. 3yr old memory doesn't stretch that far.  Can only remember the other bits because of childhood trauma I guess. 

 



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msg wrote:
rmoor wrote:

Long flat drive to Hay eh!!!!

My father did his Air Force training at Tocumwal, recalling his comments I don't think he enjoyed the trips to Hay much in whatever rattly old conveyance he got there in about 1941!!

My Dad did his Air Force training in Narrandera. Know the road well.   Dad taking us home to Narrandera for Christmas about 1952.  We were in a little wooden frame car. Bench front seat and a dicky seat in the back. A Morris I think. I was standing on the front seat and Mum was changing my younger sister's nappy on her lap.  We were coming from Melbourne, Just before Tocumwal Mum disappeared out the door with sister clutched in her arms. I remember it clearly. The road was so rough and the car rattled so much it took him sometime to realise she had fallen out of the car.  Anyhow, we turned around and fortunately Mum only suffered a nasty gravel graze on one of her legs. sister was fine.  I still remember her washing her leg in the river before travelling on.   Pop being a carpenter fixed one of those sliding bolts to the door for the return trip. 

 

Great story.

Those memories never leave you eh?

I think my dad must have had some long dusty boring trips via Hay, he mentioned it more than once.

The boredom left him I suppose when he got to Milne Bay.

Not much related in relation to there.

 


 



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Good road report Gundog.
Not many glowing recommendations there.
I found during the flooding last November that the little used rural roads were in far better condition than the main arterials.
Twigged fairly quickly significant less damage due to the lighter traffic obviously.
The Mitchell Highway is heavy traffic and it virtually disintegrated and is not a whole lot better now.
I got sprayed on that road in my new ute earlier this week from an oncoming vehicle hit a patch of those useless tiny stones the councils use now.
Was trying to acelerate and decelerate to avoid oncoming machine gun sprays as I knew where those light rock 20 metre long patches were.
They are a trap for new players.
The old ramshackle truck with the bitumen and road gravel inserted by a road gang of old broken down footballers was a far better option.
Ahh, the good 'ol days - gorn......

Hey, has the river there got the same cod restrictions as here?
A mate got a goodun but put it back last weekend as the cod breeding season doesn't end officially here until 1 December?


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Gundog made a point of mentioning fuel consumption when using cruise control. I was wondering what he is towing with. Different marques and models could be expected to have different fuel consumption rates.

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I frequently use my Cruise Control when going on the flatter rural roads as my vehicle's auto transmission torque converter tends to lock more easily, rather than with no Cruise Control. As most of us know, with a locked torque converter, there is less heat generated.

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"I think my dad must have had some long dusty boring trips via Hay, he mentioned it more than once."

"Hell, Hay & Booligal "was a favourite saying of an old shearer mate back in the 1970's.

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jegog wrote:

Gundog made a point of mentioning fuel consumption when using cruise control. I was wondering what he is towing with. Different marques and models could be expected to have different fuel consumption rates.


 I'm  towing a 25tf Jayco with a Ford PK Ranger 3.0 TDI manual trans, the Newell Hwy from Goondawindi to Gilgandra is predominantly flat good roads to check fuel consumption while using cruise control.

General advice choose the gear that is 1:1 in my Ranger that is 4th gear. But with an auto towing vans over 2 tonne, drive should not be used, if your auto has sports mode then use that.

I'll  give you an example towing in 4th on a flat road tachometer sits on 2450 rpm if I select 5th gear it drops back to 2000rpm,  which is outside the powerband. 



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"I'll give you an example towing in 4th on a flat road tachometer sits on 2450 rpm if I select 5th gear it drops back to 2000rpm, which is outside the powerband."

Gundog, please excuse my ignorance and lack of knowledge, but could you explain the "powerband" to me please?

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I have copied and pasted a couple of quotes from Rmoor post on Rural Roads.


"One ponders just how much wastage there is in Local Government and Federal and State Governments.

More proof in the pudding that we are governed at all levels by a complete bunch of money-wasting, ignorant, incompetent fools."

If our 3 levels of government were privately owned businesses then Receivers would have been appointed and the 3 companies would have been placed in receivership, which would see 3 far more professional administrators appointed.
Worse still if the 3 levels of our governments were trading on the ASX the shareholders would be the losers. I guess that that would be something similar to us, the public being the losers.

I will leave at that.

Jay&Dee



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JayDee wrote:

I have copied and pasted a couple of quotes from Rmoor post on Rural Roads.


"One ponders just how much wastage there is in Local Government and Federal and State Governments.

More proof in the pudding that we are governed at all levels by a complete bunch of money-wasting, ignorant, incompetent fools."

If our 3 levels of government were privately owned businesses then Receivers would have been appointed and the 3 companies would have been placed in receivership, which would see 3 far more professional administrators appointed.
Worse still if the 3 levels of our governments were trading on the ASX the shareholders would be the losers. I guess that that would be something similar to us, the public being the losers.

I will leave at that.

Jay&Dee


Think you covered that accurately.

My mechanic mate was going crook yesterday about our 10% x 4 yr pending rate rises.

Of course he gets a double whammy, shed plus home.

I spotted a large 15 foot high Christmas tree the council had erected in the main street.

Don't get me wrong, community spirit and Christmas celebrations and all that add to a community but maybe in these days of high inflation some have to reign in the expenditure and tighten the belt. My mechanic asked me "How much do you think that cost". Then he said he was watching the council erect it.

They had a crane, truck and 6 men putting it up in a spot where nobody will really stand there in awe of it one would think as it is out of the way a bit.

The cost of this was 30 grand to put one lonely Xmas tree on display. It is not over-impressive?

Maybe the time has come to cut all of this frivolous touchy, feely stuff.

The issue there of course is, convincing the goons at the top.



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