Ms Hillyar was driving her 2002 model BMW sedan in a westerly direction near the eastern end of Tomakin Rd at about 11am when she drove over a recently tarred section of road at about 20km/h.

She describes what happened next: “It was really strange; the back end became very slippery, it was like the car was aquaplaning,” she said.

“The tar had completely covered the tyres. I had to drive all the way to Batemans Bay at 50km/h and pull over and let people go around me because I was too scared to go any faster.”

When she pulled over in Batemans Bay, a quick inspection revealed that the tar had in fact covered the tyres.

She took the car to a panel beater and a detailer, both of whom claimed they had never seen anything like it before.

They said that the tyres were a write-off and that removing the tar from other parts of the underside of the car would lift the bill to about $1200.

Ms Hillyar’s partner, Glenn Ford, immediately contacted Euro-bodalla Shire Council and the police. Mr Ford said a council spokesperson said they would send someone out to check the road and block access if necessary.

“But we went back at 2 o’clock and it was still open, and there was none of the tar left, it had gone down to the gravel.”

Mr Ford said he and Ms Hillyar had contacted their insurance company and would be seeking recompense from those responsible.

“The council said the work had been sub-contracted out and the company that did the work would have to fit the bill,” he said.