Peninsula roadworks wishlist

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has sent Central Coast Council a list of the five streets on the Peninsula it would like to see added to Council’s capital works program.

President Matthew Wales said the Chamber was “spoilt for choice” in naming the streets most in need of an upgrade.

Topping the list is Rabaul Ave, from Lone Pine Ave to Hobart St, Umina Beach.

“While Council has recently resealed the road, it lacks any kerb and gutter, concrete footpaths and stormwater drainage,” Wales said.

“It serves as a major collector road, commuter route to Woy Woy Rd (as an important alternative to Ocean Beach Rd) and school bus route to the Umina Beach Secondary College campus and St John the Baptist public school.

Second on the list is Brittania St from Ocean Beach Rd to Springwood St.

“This is a much used “rat run” between Ocean Beach Rd and Springwood St providing an alternative connection to Ettalong Beach (rather than Bourke Rd),” Wales said.

Albion St between Ocean Beach Rd and Springwood St needs upgrading for the same reason.

Wales said Rickard St between West St and The Esplanade was a key connection at the eastern end of the Umina Beach shopping precinct.

It provides direct connection to the Ocean Beach foreshore and beach parking areas from the town cenrtre.

Rounding out the list is Beach St between Springwood St and Broken Bay Rd.

“This is a high-use connecting road from Springwood St directly to the Ettalong Beach village centre and acts as a ‘rat run’ for traffic as an alternative to Bourke Rd,” Wales said.

“Key to this process is the preparation of a Program of Works for the Progressive Upgrading of Peninsula Roads.

“I’m not aware of any comprehensive assessment of the state of our local roads, their condition, reconstruction cost and prioritisation.

“It is the Chamber’s view that Council should be preparing such a program so that it has the correct and relevant data as a tool to access both state and federal funding when available.”