Tuesday 14 March 2017

Swan Bay's dangerous roads

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington is backing residents frustration with the lack of attention from local council to fix unsafe roads in the area.

There are a number of unsealed roads throughout Port Stephens and particularly in Swan Bay, where Swan Bay Road is a major concern.

Residents are calling on Mayor Bruce Mackenzie to focus on fixing the backlog of roads in his council area, rather than championing a merger with Dungog promising $40 million to fix their backlog of damaged roads and bridges if a merger goes ahead.

Kate Washington has raised community concerns about unsealed roads in the past in Dunns Creek and Karuah, and has been told the roads weren't even on Council's 10 year forward work plans.

Swan bay residents have started a petition calling on council to do something about Swan Bay Road because it is particularly dangerous.

"I met with residents yesterday and they talked to me about the number of accidents they've seen and the people that they've picked out of the ditches and cars that have flipped on the side of the road, particularly on Swan Bay Road and the condition of the road is appalling," Kate Washington said.

Roads which remain unsealed in Port Stephens include:
- Swan Bay Rd, Swan Bay
- Dunns Creek Rd, Duns Creek
- Holdom Rd, Karuah
- Wighton St, Seaham
- Six Mile Creek Rd, Eagleton
- Clarence St, Wallalong