Balladonia to Esperance Road

Submitted: Sunday, Jan 05, 2020 at 16:17
ThreadID: 139510 Views:9091 Replies:3 FollowUps:1
This Thread has been Archived
Given the recent closure of the Eyre Highway I dug out some info on the Balladonia to Esperance Road, including an archived ThreadID: 135769.

Also the Esperance shire council page advised Parmango Road and Balladonia Track North of the Farming Land is closed until further notice - reviewed 10am 9 Jan 2020 because of a Fire Incident.

As noted previously "The Parmango Road / Balladonia Track is an unmaintained 4x4 track north of the farming land and towing is not advised. The Shire of Dundas is responsible for the track from the Eyre Hwy at Balladonia to the Shire of Esperance boundary."

Given the disruption to movement of vehicles to and from the eastern states by closing the one and only shortest sealed road, to me it would make sense to upgrade this track.

On another tack the sealing of the Great Central Road should be completed as a matter of priority.
Back Expand Un-Read 1 Moderator

Reply By: Aussie1 - Sunday, Jan 05, 2020 at 17:16

Sunday, Jan 05, 2020 at 17:16
Hi Rod N,

You are exactly correct about the need for the Dundas (Norseman) Shire to allow this track to be up graded to a very useable and maintained road. But unfortunately the Dundas shire have a reputation as being very mean spirited when it come to people by passing their town. Many requests have been made in the past and continually rejected. I have had personal dealings with the staff at that shire and it has never once been pleasant or in any way helpful. So much for the gateway to WA.

AnswerID: 629348

Follow Up By: Ron N - Sunday, Jan 05, 2020 at 18:32

Sunday, Jan 05, 2020 at 18:32
Dundas Shire will never upgrade the track in a thousand years, because to do so, would take traffic away from Norseman town.

As the town struggles to survive at the best of times, and gets a fair proportion of its income from tourists travelling through, they will do nothing that diverts traffic from going through Norseman.

Dundas Shire spent a heap of money on changing the route of the Hyden-Norseman Road, so it went straight to the town - instead of coming out on the highway South of Higginsville, as it used to.
And the only reason they did that, was to ensure the Hyden-Norseman traffic went directly to Norseman.

The only way the Parmango Road and Balladonia Track will ever get upgraded, is for the Federal Govt to supply the funds. And that road upgrade is not anywhere near a priority for any Govt or Council.

Cheers, Ron.
2
FollowupID: 904192

Reply By: Member - rocco2010 - Sunday, Jan 05, 2020 at 19:17

Sunday, Jan 05, 2020 at 19:17
The Eyre Highway is now closed at the Eucla quarantine point.

The Great Central Road is closed between Laverton and the SA border due to flooding.

It's a long detour via Darwin and with a cyclone brewing off Broome there's a good chance roads in the Kimberley and Pilbara will be affected mid week.

Good luck to those stranded. Much better than fighting fires, it must be said.

AnswerID: 629354

Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Sunday, Jan 05, 2020 at 22:54

Sunday, Jan 05, 2020 at 22:54
I have only driven the northern section from where the track from Israelite Bay joins, to Balladonia, and it could not be described as a "track".
Is the southern end a lot worse?
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
AnswerID: 629363

Sponsored Links