The residents of Swan Bay believed they had a legitimate case for being skeptical when they saw Swan Bay Road listed as part of a $15 million capital works project tabled at last Tuesday night's Port Stephens Council meeting.
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The lengthy Swan Hill Road, which is part sealed and part gravel [about 2km], has been grouped with both Dunns Creek Road and Forest Road as part of a total $1 million spend for west ward upgrades in a new list of priority projects to be undertaken this financial year being considered by the council.
"It has been previously been reported by council to us that it costs $1 million per kilometre of road to seal, which I think is extraordinary, so there's not much left to go between the three locations," said long-time Swan Bay resident Brian Harris.
The council, however, made it clear that both the draft list and costs were to be confirmed. "We're undertaking community consultation on the list of priority projects ... once the list is finalised, we'll look at funding options and put together a formal confirmation of the projects at the council meeting in August," a spokesperson said.
The sealing of the gravel road, described by Swan Bay residents as "fit for a third world country", has according to Mr Harris been on the council capital works program since 1982. Mr Harris also claims he has personally witnessed 16 accidents over that time.
"The problem is that the council has never really addressed the issue of child safety, which is the major concern for Swan Bay residents. We pray to God that our concerns will never become a reality," Mr Harris added.
"If this was the condition of a road in Nelson Bay servicing some 50 residential properties they would move heaven and earth to fix it, and throw in kerb, guttering and a footpath."
The council spokesperson said that the road sealing had been part of its forward works program for a long time (10 years or more).
"The current mayor has recognised this as a priority project, while the previous mayor also allocated $500,000 from a loan in June 2017 - though this is not sufficient funding to complete the project," the spokesperson said.
"We have commenced survey design and we are working through the service relocations and land acquisitions required to undertake the works. This project also requires an Environmental Impact Statement as the road runs through a wetland, which is a sensitive coastal environment."
Swan Bay resident of three years, Ron Cocuzzoli, described it as an extremely dangerous road, particularly after a rain period which would open up large potholes. "Do we have to wait for a major accident [before council acts]."
"The road is absolutely terrible to drive on, particularly the dirt road. It is also narrow and has the added danger of tree branches handing over the roadway."
In 2016 residents took up a petition with more than 200 signatures calling on the council to develop a safe road strategy to ensure they have access to a basic safe road network, "one of the core responsibilities of local government".
"We feel this council has failed in its duty of care to rectify the unsafe condition, in particular, the blind corner of Swan Bay and Davis roads, the 100 kmph speed sign and the trees growing within the formation of the road one km west of this corner," the petition stated.
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In response, the council spokesperson said that the NSW Government controlled the speed limit, that motorists should be driving to the conditions, and that there has only been one reported crash in the past five years for Swan Bay Road.
Residents say that the school bus refuses to travel along the gravel road and the number of families with children moving into the area is increasing. There is also the issue of dust during the long, dry spells.
"We are demanding immediate and positive action. We are not asking for concrete kerb gutters, concrete footpaths, bike ways, walking tracks, sealed boat ramp, car parks, lane ways that other ratepayers enjoy, just a safe road to drive our children on."
Mr Harris said that the situation in nearby Moffats Road - where power poles have been placed in the middle of the road and vehicles have to wind their way around the poles - was equally as dangerous.
"Where is the duty of care, not only for the council but also for the power company?" Residents said they would be contacting both the mayor and their ward councillors in regard to the priority list.
