Residents in Cluny Road had previously lobbied councillors to seal a 1km section of their gravel road at a cost of $430,000.

But a resolve to fast-track their request earlier this year drew the ire from residents living in Platform Road.

They claim their unsealed road in is in greater need of repair and has a particularly dangerous bend.

“At least 203 vehicles use Platform Road in one day, compared with just 47 vehicles using Cluny Road,” Platform Road resident Sonia Broun told councillors at Monday’s Council meeting.

“Six motorists have gone through our fences since we’ve been living there, leading to Council erecting ‘Slow Down’ signs.”

Platform Road was also an alternative route to the New England Highway and the main access to Kellys Plains.

“In the past year, there were two fatal accidents on the highway, leading to all traffic being diverted  on to Platform Road,” Ms Broun said.

Nevertheless, councillors resolved to maintaining existing roads rather than upgrading unsealed and gravel roads.

They agreed to maintain the status quo and not to undertake any new sealing projects.

Officers conducted a survey of Cluny Road and found it was used by less than 100 vehicles a day, and the existing road width was adequate for that amount of traffic travelling at an average speed of 80km/h.

 “Unpalatable as it will be for residents hoping the unsealed roads ... will be sealed in the future, Council doesn’t have the financial resources to upgrade these roads to sealed roads unless additional revenues can be generated to address the current backlog of rehabilitation works,” officers wrote in their report.

Platform, Metz, Cluny and Dangars Falls roads were all scheduled for an upgrade and to be sealed.

Gravel resheeting is being considered to enhance some unsealed roads under Council’s 10-year roads program.

Council estimates its road assets at $150 million.

It was also agreed at Monday’s meeting that Council would spend a $616,000 Roads to Recovery grant renewing parts of Dangarsleigh Road.