Peninsula pushed down priority roadworks list again says Chamber

subject to further review, Council said.

Peninsula Chamber President Matthew Wales said there had been no explanation of the Federal Government’s decision to defer funding.

“While design work will continue, the property acquisition and pre-works construction is to be placed on hold,” he said.

“This is simply not good enough, especially when the intersection is becoming ever more congested at peak times.

“The Federal Government has completed 21 of 29 projects from the Central Coast Roads Package but has decided that the Peninsula can wait.

“Clearly we are not seen as a priority down here even though the local area is seeing an increase in traffic not only from local growth but from residents further north using the Peninsula as s short cut to the freeway or accessing Woy Woy

Station to avoid the parking problems at Gosford.”

Wales said the upgrade had been promised as an early solution to the Peninsula’s traffic problems.

“Now local residents will have to wait another few years to get relief from local traffic congestion,” he said.

Meanwhile, Council has delivered 21 road and drainage projects funded under the Federal Government’s Central Coast Roads Package since 2020.

These include: Mutu St, Woy Woy; Glenrock Pde, Tascott; Gem Rd, Pearl Beach; Cresthaven Ave, Bateau Bay; Bayview Ave, The Entrance;

Kerry Cres, Berkeley Vale; Maidens Brush Rd, Wyoming; Racecourse Rd, West Gosford; Shirley St, Ourimbah; Sturt St, Killarney Vale; Springfield Rd, Springfield; Tuggerawong Rd, Tuggerawong; Woodbury Park Dr, Mardi; Craigie Ave, Kanwal; Fravent St, Toukley; Richardson Rd, San Remo; Oleander St, Noraville; Hibbard St, Canton

Beach; Albert Warner Dr, Warnervale; The Corso, Gorokan; and Everglades Catchment, Umina Beach.

Six more projects are underway or commencing shortly: Ridgway Rd, Avoca Beach; Del Monte Pl, Copacabana; Lushington St, East Gosford; Steyne Rd, Saratoga; Springwood St, Blackwall; and St Huberts Island Bridge.

Council said initial works have been undertaken for the road and drainage upgrade of Shelly Beach Rd, Empire Bay, and design development would continue for the Ocean Beach Rd/Rawson Rd intersection with all other works on the two projects on hold.

“Council will continue to work with the Federal Government to deliver all the projects identified within the Central Coast Roads Package,” a spokesperson said.