Private road oiling is scheduled to commence from this week in the Queenstown Lakes District.

"Although we have doubled the amount of funds available for oiling unsealed roads during the summer, we still have to weigh the expenditure on unsealed roads with maintenance costs to all roads," Queenstown Lakes District Council chief executive Duncan Field said.

The Council allocated just under $200,000 last year for oiling, doubling the number of oiling received by any one unsealed road.

Funded oiling would once again commence in November.

"Within reason there is a limit to the amount of funds we can justifiably spend on oiling so last year we canvassed the idea of private oiling and it proved popular," Mr Field said.

Council roading contractor Works Infrastructure would manage the private oiling this year.

"There are strict criteria governing what you can actually apply to the road surface, which made it complicated for individuals so we felt it was better to offer the service," Mr Field said.

In addition it was more cost effective if more than one property in the same vicinity was oiled.

"If you are looking at paying for an extra oiling then talk to your neighbours," Mr Field said.

Anyone who wanted to find out more about private oiling could contact Works Infrastructure phone 03 441 4268.

ENDS

For further information please contact Duncan Field 03 441 0499.

By: Kiri