Residents of Nioka Ave at Point Clare are calling on Central Coast Council to honour its initial plans to upgrade the street with kerb, guttering and footpaths.
Plans drawn up by Central Coast the Council in 2019 show that Nioka Ave was slated for an upgrade before the Council was placed in administration.
Following administration, Council decided to cut funding for the upgrade as part of its austerity measures.
Residents are now calling on Council to place the upgrade of the street back at the top of its priority list as safety, particularly around the nearby public school, continue to be of concern.
Federal Member for Robertson Gordon Reid recently met with residents on site.
“This road is buckling under the pressure that is being placed on it, whether it is from the nearby primary school, local shops, or the growing suburb itself; the street is in need of an upgrade,” he said.
“I have also seen videos and pictures of school buses navigating the street with difficulty during morning and afternoon school drop-off and pick-up periods.
“Residents are living in fear that safety along their street continues to diminish and Central Coast Council is turning a blind eye to their calls for an upgrade.
“I am joining with residents of Nioka Ave and calling on Council to place Nioka Ave back on the its priority list.
“I am also encouraging residents to write to my office and I will make representations on their behalf to Council.”
Resident Janelle Arber said mothers pushing prams were often forced to walk down the middle of the street to drop off or pick up children.
“This is in addition to school buses delicately navigating their way along the street, trying to fit with their side mirrors between cars,” she said.
“After the rain it is even worse, as the road is slippery from the build-up of water streaming in the area.
“There is no drainage here and it continues to run down from the bushland behind, leaving the area wet for some time.
“We all received a letter and plan before COVID-19 and Central Coast Council’s financial problems.
“It showed plans for footpaths, kerb and guttering and regulated parking during school hours.
“Unfortunately, still nothing has happened in correcting the problem.
“Just being able to access our own driveway can be an issue during school time,” Arber said.