Major problems with maintenance of unsealed roads were identified as :

• poor contour recognition and ineffective use of the grading blade;
• unproductive drainage and maintenance of gullies;
• widespread occurrence of pot holes and corrugations.

One respondent from Bunyip described their road as "very dangerous, poorly maintained, and impassable in places, - a sponsored 'third world' development."

A common fear among respondents is that Council will impose an additional levy on properties if roads are sealed, adding to the burden of mortgage payments and rate rises.

Although in the nature of a pilot study, this survey has raised a number of issues that need to be pursued. We plan to carry out a more rigorous survey in the coming year. In the meantime, original responses and working papers will be retained for reference on CRRA files.

The other thing about communication is who are we speaking to? Are we being answered by the officers or by the elected represent- atives we voted to represent us on council?

CRRA is prepared to ask questions on your behalf. Come to our meetings and let us know your concerns. We can quickly ask the questions of council; the answers may take a little longer.

CARDINIA ENVIRONMENT COALITION NEWS
What can be done to stop illegal clearing of vegetation on private land in the Shire of Cardinia? The Cardinia Environment Coalition (CEC), as the umbrella organisation for many Landcare and Friends' groups, has frequently raised this issue with Council officers and asked them to consider proposals that:

• builders should lodge bonds with Council before commencing work
• fines for landowners who clear vegetation illegally should be increased from the current maximum of $500
• contractors who carry out illegal clearing should also be fined
• the Shire needs additional regulatory staff
• environmental information sheets should be issued to all new residents

Thankfully, there are some good news stories to offset disappointments:

• 150 people attended our AGM in August. Addition of two more Landcare groups means the CEC will represent ten such groups, covering most of the northern Western Port catchment.
• An indigenous plant nursery to supply plants for Landcare has been established at Tynong North, and volunteers have planted thousands of trees this spring.
• Council will consider the draft of a revised Cardinia Environment Strategy next month.
• Council planners now provide the CEC with their monthly register of planning applications. Other community groups might also want to seek access to this register.

The CEC meets with Council officers monthly and attends Council's quarterly Environment Briefings.

A WORD FROM OUR VICE-PRESIDENT
Keith Ewenson is a former Mayor of Cardinia, and has received an OAM for service to local government and conservation.

Communication, or lack thereof, is a major source of dissatisfaction with ratepayers. I know it is difficult to reach the greater population even with a Connect posted into every home. Then of course there are the Ward Meetings. With both of these aspects you may well think Cardinia Shire is meeting residents' communication needs, but let's analyse what communication consists of. When we make a telephone call there is a vast difference between talking to the person we require or to an answering service. How often have you experienced this in recent times with Cardinia Shire? The Shire is efficient at sending its message to us, but who at the Shire is listening to what we say? In other words, communication should be a two-way dialogue.