Rutted roads, who has the biggest pothole, Council should pay for damage to our cars, it’s only time before a death is caused by the shocking and shameful condition of our roads. 

MidCoast Council’s recent announcement of $7.5 Million commitment towards regional roads, whilst a welcome injection toward the single most important issue within the community, is regrettably just a drop in the ocean in the context of an estimated $500 million infrastructure backlog and falls far too short for what is actually required to address the problem. 

Many locals are now questioning Council’s priorities and the role being played by the newly elected Council. Perhaps Council should be spending less on administration – like the budgeted commitment for a $15 Million software upgrade – and more on priorities that really count to the community.

In a recent Media Release, Council has identified work to be carried out on over 22 roads, stating: “The repairs will involve stabilising the road surface and resealing.” 

That is, until the next downpour.

Unfortunately, spread across more than 22 roads that $7.5 Million will not stretch too far by a long shot these days, and the proposed works will only end up being small patched up sections whilst other parts of those will roads continue to deteriorate.

The real question is whether Council will actually deliver these promised works on time and within the calendar year as promised or will they simply join the ever expanding list of capital works that are deferred into successive years?

Sections of the following roads will receive attention:

Oxley Street, Taree

Wherrol Flat Road

Lansdowne Road

Central Lansdowne Road

Upper Lansdowne Road

Hannam Vale Road

Wallanbah Road, Gloucester

Wynter/Manning Streets Taree roundabout

High/Pulteney Streets Taree roundabout

Warwiba Road Old Bar

South Heron Road Old Bar

Kolinda Drive Old Bar

Bulga Road

Bowman Farm Road Gloucester

Several roads in North Arm Cove

Red Head Road

First Ridge Road, Smiths Lake

Mermaid Avenue, Hawks Nest

Booral Road, Bulahdelah

Willina Road, Coolongolook

Myall Street, Tea Gardens

We’re watching. But please don’t inundate us with photos of your desperate road issues. We know…we know. … !