General News
4 May, 2026
Street patch debacle down to an ‘unexpected issue’
MYSTERY still surrounds the sudden halt to road works in Brooke Street Inglewood last week.
MYSTERY still surrounds the sudden halt to road works in Brooke Street Inglewood last week.
Department of Transport and Planning has only confirmed that “crews identified an unexpected issue with the road while finalising works”.
Work last Tuesday at the intersection of Brooke and Verdon Streets came to a halt early afternoon with half the 20-metre section replaced.
Traffic was initially restricted to one lane before a detour was put in place late afternoon.
Heavy vehicles were diverted on several days past Inglewood Primary School.
Speculation on the halt to work have included mine shafts, a forgotten tunnel linking historic buildings and leaking water mains.
The department did not respond to questions on the issues, only saying they required “more extensive repairs than initially planned”.
Executive Director Loddon Mallee Hume, Anthony Judd, on Friday said: “We are currently repairing a section of the Calder Highway (Brooke Street) in Inglewood.
“We acknowledge the unexpected disruption and appreciate the patience of the community while these repairs are underway.” Mr Judd described the works as routine maintenance.
Businesses had complained they had no advance notice of the works on Tuesday and again when a temporary patch was made later in the week.
Crews returned to the site on Monday to put bitumen over the re-worked section of the road.
The department also declined to provide information on when it expected to repair the opposite side of the deteriorated intersection surface. Surveyor marks indicate a section that could be upgraded.
Residents have told the Loddon Herald that the surface of the Calder Highway in the two main blocks of Brooke Street had been in poor condition for some time.
Business owner Charlie Woodman said he had reported the street poor state to the department and hoped other deteriorated sections would soon be repaired.
Read More: Inglewood