Australia's largest shire is facing significant challenges in repairing roads eight months after a category four cyclone. The Shire of East Pilbara, located in northern Western Australia, spans 372,000 square kilometers, an area larger than the combined size of Victoria and Tasmania. With the wet season approaching, there are concerns that remote communities may become further isolated.

The local council is urging both state and federal governments to hold a roundtable discussion focused on road funding and planning. Repair costs are expected to reach hundreds of millions of dollars. The region is currently dealing with suspension-rattling corrugations and approximately 20 washed-out river crossings, which are hindering the movement of residents in the outback.

In August, Shire CEO Steve Harding reached out to WA Minister for Emergency Services Paul Papalia, highlighting that road recovery efforts have been stalled since Cyclone Zelia struck in February. "This is resulting in ongoing road closures and significant logistical challenges for many remote Aboriginal communities across our region," Harding stated in his letter. As of now, the shire has not received a response.

The deteriorating road conditions have drawn attention from local politicians, including WA Nationals MP Shane Love and WA Greens MLC Sophie McNeill. In September, Love raised a grievance in parliament, emphasizing that the lack of funding for repairs has left communities vulnerable. McNeill visited the area last week and described the roads as "atrocious," stressing their importance as a lifeline for residents. "The road is an absolute lifeline for people in the East Pilbara," she said. She also noted the need for resilient infrastructure, especially as climate change increases the likelihood of severe weather events.

The shire is responsible for maintaining 3,200 kilometers of unsealed roads, which are crucial for both tourism and the iron ore mining industry. Currently, ten roads remain closed due to flood damage. Marble Bar pastoralist Lance Coppin, who is running for a council position in the upcoming local government election, criticized the maintenance of the roads, stating that neglect predates Cyclone Zelia. "Our issue is with the grading maintenance program that has been gradually depleting and gradually falling away and basically abandoned over the last four to five years," he said.

East Pilbara Shire President Anthony Middleton acknowledged that while there have been no major changes to the maintenance program, the shire has ceased grading private pastoral roads and airstrips. Longtime Pilbara truck driver Michael King attributed the poor condition of the roads to increased traffic and heavy vehicles from mining operations. "We've got people pounding it to living death, there's nothing left of it really," he remarked.

Middleton noted that the shire received $3 million in funding from the Regional Roads Group, but he emphasized that this amount is insufficient. He estimated that it would cost $200 million to re-sheet all the roads, a figure that has risen by an additional $60 million since Cyclone Zelia. With the wet season approaching, there are fears that costs could escalate further.

McNeill plans to demand more government action to address the road issues in parliament this week. Minister Papalia stated that the government is committed to supporting communities affected by natural disasters but did not confirm whether he would participate in the proposed roundtable. "Main Roads is always available to provide technical support and assistance to local government, however, there is also an obligation on local governments to ensure these requirements are met," he said.