Two Killcare Heights residents have accused Central Coast Council of wasting taxpayers’ money fixing sections of the Scenic Rd at Macmasters Beach which are not in need of repair, while one section riddled with potholes goes unattended.
Bruce Gregory has been in regular contact with Council over a section of the road, between Ocean Dr and Cripps Cl, which he says is full of deep potholes, presenting a huge danger to motorists.
“I contacted Council in October informing of the huge potholes on this section of road and they were speedy in coming out to fix them,” Gregory said.
“But with the next rain, the potholes reappeared.
“My wife recently suffered severe whiplash as I swerved to avoid the potholes.
“This section has been in need of repair for years.”
Gregory said Council had recently been active in repairing a section of the road between Patanga St and Abundance St, Kincumber, which was not in need of repair.
“The surface of the road was excellent prior to this work being done,” he said.
“Residents do not appreciate Council, their employees or contractors wasting our rates on unnecessary projects like this.
“I can’t comprehend why they would fix a part of the road which doesn’t need work and not attend to a section that really needs it.
“And here we are having to pay more rates.”
For Gregory and his neighbour Carole Webb, The Scenic Rd is the major route between their Killcare Heights homes and Kincumber shopping centre and they use it regularly.
Webb said the road was getting “more and more dangerous”.
“With the dappling of the sun through the trees you can’t see what is shadow and what is a pothole and before you know it you are having to swerve to avoid a large crater,” she said.
“If you slow down people get cranky, especially in peak times.
“Having a lot of frustrated drivers becomes dangerous.”
A Council spokesperson said the safety of residents is of “highest priority”.
“This includes reducing the risks to the community posed by potholes in the travel lanes of the road pavement,” the spokesperson said.
“Council uses a variety of industry standard techniques to repair potholes and minor road failures in the roadway, repairs over 30,000 potholes annually and also has a comprehensive road program.
“In relation to the renewal of The Scenic Rd, Macmasters Beach, Council identifies renewal works, such as resurfacing, based on best practice pavement management which involves the optimised application of a range of road treatments depending on road condition, road classification, traffic volumes, treatment history and maintenance costs.
“Treatments are triggered at different stages of the road’s lifecycle to ensure the cost effectiveness of the treatment; to minimise ongoing maintenance expenditure; and to limit road user costs (crashes, delays and road closures).
“Projects are then developed and considered for an allocation of funding, based on the highest priority as identified within the pavement management system.
“Residents can view the road, drainage and pathway capital works projects being undertaken this financial year by visiting Council’s interactive map at www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/residents/roads-and-water/road-and-drainage-capital-works-program.
“Additionally, Council’s Infrastructure Assessment and Road Maintenance staff routinely inspect the pavement and road related areas with any defects identified scheduled for maintenance repairs in accordance with our current service levels and on a priority risk basis.
“Road defects, especially potholes, are often underreported to Council on the assumption that another resident has already lodged the road defect, or they will be picked up by Council crews during routine inspections – however, that road may not be due for an inspection at that time or has not been reported by another community member already.
“It is strongly encouraged that residents report any road defects, including potholes, to Council by contacting the Customer Service Centre on 1300 463 954 or by utilising the Customer Service online portal at www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/council/contact/online-services.”
Despite these assurances, Gregory said he had been informed no work on the section of The Scenic Rd in question has been scheduled in the foreseeable future.
Terry Collins
What’s the point of reporting when council have no money to repair. I know through sources that the Erina depot has become a great place to play cards. Those who have not been let go for the most part are sitting around doing not much. It is cheaper to have them sit there than take vehicles and machines out. I have not seen any council work crews out for the months, to be honest more like a year. Unless it is a critical repair, save your money in calling them.