After years of complaining to Port Stephens Council about the dangerous condition of their gravel roads, long suffering residents of Duns Creek are rejoicing at the news this week of a $625,000 federal government grant to upgrade the notorious Duns Creek Road.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Nationals MP David Gillespie said that the upgrades to Duns Creek Road near Wallaby Close would be delivered under the 2020-21 Roads Black Spot Program funding.
The news was music to the ears of residents' spokesperson Lorelle Herbert, who said the community had been waiting patiently for some time, having presented the council with a 298-signature petition to improve road safety.
"This is a section of Duns Creek Road where the majority of accidents have occurred and the first section of road that seems to breakdown after rain. Hopefully the council can add its funds to improve more sections as well."
A council spokesperson said that funds had been committed to continue the sealing of Duns Creek Road through the PS2020 program, and a section of the road in council's 10 year capital works program.
"Council will continue to apply for grants and alternate sources of funding and as funding opportunities arise we will progressively upgrade this road."
The spokesperson said that upgrade works along Forest Road, including road widening and resheeting, would be done as funds and needs increase.
Mr Gillespie said that the funding would be used to install clear zones, improve curved shoulders, improve road geometry, install seal on road and line markings, mark road edge lines, install semi-rigid barriers on the roadside and install curve markers.
West ward councillor Ken Jordan welcomed the upgrades, which he said would increase road safety for all road users and create local jobs.
"Black spot funding is an important program that shows how well federal and local government can work together to identify and fix regional roads."
