Three new roads at Kangy Angy, named after distinguished Central Coast WWI veterans, were officially opened on Monday.
The roads are part of the development of the NSW Government’s New Intercity Rail Fleet maintenance facility on Enterprise Dr, which is on track to open later this year.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said there’s now multiple access points which didn’t exist before, so residents of Kangy Angy now have floodproof access roads, in particular the new bridge from Enterprise Dr to Orchard Rd.
“Previously, Kangy Angy residents living on Orchard Rd have been cut off from Enterprise Dve during periods of flood, but the opening of the bridge means they will have a safe and flood-free route to travel to and from home,” Crouch said.
The bridge is named Redgate Rd after Private William Henry Redgate from Tumbi Umbi.
Another new access road, Tate Way, is in honour of Sergeant Eric Austin Tate from Wyong.
A private service road connecting Redgate Rd to Ourimbah Rd is Buckton Rd, named after Private Richard George Buckton of Wyong.
Private Redgate was 24 in 1915 when he enlisted with the 4th Australian Infantry Battalion and was killed in action on April 14, 1918, in France.
He was buried in Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension, Bailleul, Nord Pas de Calais, France.
He was awarded the Star Medal, the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Sergeant Eric Austin Tate was 23 when he enlisted in 1915 and served in 20th Battalion, Australian Infantry.
He was killed in 1917 by a shell lobbed into the trenches and he is commemorated at Menin Gate at Ypres in Belgium.
Private Richard George Buckton was also killed in action in Belgium only a year after he enlisted in 1916, aged 24.
He served in the 4th Australian Infantry Battalion and was awarded the Star Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Central Coast Mayor, Lisa Matthews, said Council’s recommendations for the region’s road naming to the Geographical Names Board of NSW was an important responsibility.
“It is particularly significant this year in light of the different ANZAC Day commemorations that we have experienced,” she said.
“On behalf of our residents, I am honoured that this place naming will be a lasting legacy for the families of these special Central Coast WWI veterans.”
Meanwhile, the $300M rail maintenance facility is taking shape quickly and moving toward “commissioning” phase, says Transport NSW Construction Manager, John Peric.
He said a lot of the construction work was starting to wind down and the project was entering into the operational phase.
The noise wall has been built and more landscaping will take place around the boundary and along Orchard Rd.
Crouch said the project was boosting local employment and business opportunities for the Central Coast, with more than 300 jobs and apprenticeships during construction, and 100 jobs to be permanent once the facility started operating.
Source:
Media release & interview, May 4
Parliamentary Secretary Central Coast, Adam Crouch
Website, Gosford City Library
Onsite visit, interviews, May 4
Reporter: Sue Murray