With the NSW State Election looming, the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce says the state of roads in the area has reached “crisis point” and is calling on both sides of politics to commit to funding upgrading and reconstruction work.
“Our local roads are falling apart; they lack kerb and gutter, stormwater drainage and footpaths,” chamber President Matthew Wales said.
“It’s an absolute disgrace.
“We have repeatedly asked all levels of government at every election to allocate funds to kerb and gutter our roads, implement street drainage and construct footpaths for the safety of the community.
“Yet despite the urgency, we are ignored time and time again with the same old excuses.
“We are constantly told that we live on a sandplain which is the best natural drainage and therefore we don’t need kerb and gutter.
“That’s a nonsense; try and explain that to residents who are constantly flooded every time we have a storm event.”
Wales said full road reconstruction is essential to deliver safe streets with state-of-the-art drainage and concrete footpaths that can accommodate families and the elderly.
“With a population of over 36,000 residents, it is unacceptable that over 80 per cent of our roads are unkerbed and lack adequate stormwater drainage and concrete footpaths, with virtually no local roads listed on Central Coast Council’s forward plan of works,” he said.
“The Chamber is calling on Council to implement a long term Program of Works that lists every road in need of reconstruction so that we at least have a local priority list for future works.
“Further, there are State and Federal grants available for Central Coast Council for both road maintenance and reconstruction which should be applied for.
“Council should be listening to the community as to what their priorities are and not telling the community what they think is good for us.”
Wales said a good start would be a commitment from all sides of politics to commit to the allocation of funds for a comprehensive audit of the Peninsula road and drainage system, with priorities set for a yearly reconstruction program assisted by State and Federal funds.
Source:
Media release, Feb 5
Peninsula Chamber of Commerce