Zara Jarvis, 19, said she is dismayed by council’s compensation policy after twice hitting a massive pothole in three weeks, resulting in more than $190 damage to her car.

On Tuesday, Ms Jarvis hit a deep pothole on the Leith and Albert Street intersection – the same pothole she hit in August – which saw her file an official complaint with council at the time.

However, council did not repair the pothole despite its road management plan outlining that most road issues must be rectified within five days of notification, with some requiring a solution within four hours of notification.

“There are three massive potholes that were filled up with water and by the time I saw them it was too late,” Ms Jarvis said.

“It (the pothole) caused an impact fracture to the side wall of the car and blew my tyre. The wheel alignment was also out of whack.

“This particular road I I drive on every week and I reported it three weeks ago.

“Today (on Tuesday) there was damage done. I reported this so surely I should get compensated for the costs.

“It's going to cost around $190 to begin with.”

The same pothole was highlighted as a hazard by Facebook page ‘The Road Ahead’.

Like several other motorists this year, Ms Jarvis said she was told by City of Ballarat staff there was a $1380 threshold limit for council compensation for car damage obtained on deteriorating roads. She also said she was told that council would only pay the difference above the $1380 figure and that the figure would rise next year.

The Courier sought confirmation from council regarding the $1380 threshold, and also asked if the figure had changed from the years 2011 to 2016, and if it would rise again next year.

However, council did not address any of the requests.

Instead, a written statement said “if a person believes that council has not met its responsibilities under the road management plan and this has caused them loss, they are able to take civil action”.

Several other agitated motorists have also contacted The Courier this year citing concerns with the $1380 threshold.

Meanwhile, Miners Rest resident Paul Keating said council is yet to adequately fix his street littered with potholes.

Mr Keating was livid with the state of a series of half-fixed potholes he said were addressed in mid-August, with City of Ballarat city services general manager Terry Demeo telling The Courier the road shoulders would be graded in the following week.

Mr Keating said council workers filled in the potholes fully on August 20, but said they are yet to grade the road shoulders – more than four weeks since promised.

“Scheduled works have been delayed by the wet weather. We are monitoring the shoulders and further works will continue when the weather improves,” a written response by council read on Wednesday night.