You hit a pothole on the way to work. It was not there last week, and now it is deep enough to damage a tyre. You want it fixed. But who do you tell? This guide explains who is responsible for fixing potholes in Australia, and how to report one so that a crew can find it fast.
Who is responsible for fixing potholes?
In Australia, the road owner fixes the pothole. Different roads have different owners.
- Local roads. Most streets in towns and suburbs, and many rural roads, belong to the local council. The council fixes their potholes.
- State-controlled roads. Highways and main roads usually belong to the state or territory government. In Queensland, that is the Department of Transport and Main Roads. Each state has its own road agency.
- Private roads. Roads in shopping centre car parks, retirement villages, mines and some estates belong to the owner of the land.
- Other authorities. A pothole around a pit, a valve or a utility cover may belong to the water, power or phone company that owns it.
How do you tell a council road from a state road? A road with a highway name or a route number is usually a state road. A suburban street is usually a council road. If you are not sure, report it to the council anyway. The council knows which roads it owns, and it can pass the report to the right authority.
When to call instead of report
A pothole report is not an emergency report. If a pothole or a road hazard puts someone in immediate danger, call 000. If a crash has happened, call 000.
For a hazard that is dangerous but not an emergency, such as a large hole on a fast road at night, phone the road owner. Most councils have an after-hours number on their website.
How to report a pothole to your council
Most Australian councils take pothole reports in several ways:
- by phone to customer service
- through a "report an issue" form on the council website
- by email
- through a reporting app
Whichever way you choose, the same details help the crew most.
1. Say exactly where it is
Location is the most important detail. "Main Street, near the school" may describe three places. Give as much as you can:
- the street name and the nearest house number or cross street
- which lane, or which side of the road
- a landmark, such as a bus stop, a driveway or a power pole number
A map pin is the best of all. It takes the crew to the exact spot.
2. Take a photo, safely
A photo shows the size and depth of the pothole. It helps the council decide how urgent the job is. Only take a photo when it is safe. Never stop in traffic or walk onto a busy road to take one. If you cannot take a photo safely, report it without one.
A second photo from further back helps the crew find the spot.
3. Describe the size and the risk
Say how wide and how deep the pothole looks. A coin, a shoe or a hand in the photo gives a sense of scale. Say if the pothole is in a wheel path, on a bend, near a pedestrian crossing or on a bike route.
4. Leave your contact details
The council may need to ask you a question. Your name and a phone number or email let them reply. Many councils also tell you when the job is done.
How long does the council take to fix a pothole?
There is no single answer. Each council sets its own priorities and target times. A dangerous pothole on a busy road usually comes first. A small pothole on a quiet street may wait for the next scheduled repair in that area. Weather also matters. After heavy rain, many new potholes appear at the same time, and councils must work through them in order of risk.
A temporary patch is common at first. A permanent repair may come later, sometimes as part of a larger resurfacing job.
If you want to know what happens inside the council after you report, read What happens after you report a problem to your council.
What if the pothole damaged my car?
Some councils accept claims for damage from a road defect. The rules differ between councils and states, and they often depend on whether the council already knew about the pothole. Contact the council that owns the road and ask about its claims process. Keep your photos, the date, the time and any repair quotes. This is general information, not legal advice.
Report a pothole with Localtech Eye
Localtech Eye is a free app to report problems in public places to your council, including potholes. It is live for Queensland councils.
- Choose your council once.
- Pick the problem from your council's own list.
- Add up to five photos.
- Drop a pin on the map. The app checks that the spot is inside your council's area.
- Send the report. It goes to the council with your name and contact details.
The app removes the hidden location details from your photo files before upload. The time and place of each photo still go to the council as part of your report, with the map pin. Your report is not visible to other residents.
You can report a problem on the web today. The iOS and Android apps are in App Store and Google Play review.
Localtech Eye is not for emergencies. If someone is in danger, call 000.
For councils
Pothole reports are among the most common requests that councils receive. If you work at a council and want reports with photos and an exact map pin, book a demo to see Localtech Eye with your council's categories and boundary. For the bigger picture, read Citizen service requests: how councils take reports.