Action group calls for safer roads
An Empire Bay community group is continuing its campaign to bring safer roads to the area and surrounding districts.
The Empire Bay and Districts Road Action Group are again calling on local Members of Parliament, Central Coast Council and Roads and Maritime Services to address road safety concerns following a motor vehicle accident on December 3.
Empire Bay and Districts Road Action Group member Mr Gregory Olsen said the latest accident on Greenfield Rd and the string of fatal road accidents around the Central Coast in recent months highlighted the need for better traffic management and road safety measures in the region.
"On December 3, a man allegedly under the influence of drugs and driving a stolen vehicle, lost control of the vehicle on loose gravel while entering Greenfield Rd from Rickard Rd," Mr Olsen said.
"The vehicle then spun out careering into two parked cars and the gabion walls of a property on Greenfield Rd.
"Miraculously, nobody was injured," Mr Olsen added.
Mr Olsen said this incident demonstrated why the community is so concerned about the condition of their roads and said it was only a matter of time before someone was seriously injured or killed.
"Do we have to wait for a fatality to address this issue?
"If the tragic death of Annabelle Deal on the Scenic Hwy this year is any guide than perhaps we do," Mr Olsen said.
The action group, which formed in August this year, has held two public meetings and as a result of these, has written to Member for Terrigal Mr Adam Crouch, Federal Member for Robertson Ms Lucy Wicks and Central Coast Council.
Despite Mr Crouch and three council representatives attending the second of these meetings, Mr Olsen said the response from all three parties was unsatisfactory.
The group had yet to receive a reply to their major concern and main priority, the resurfacing of Greenfield and Rickard Rds, he said.
"At this stage, we are not satisfied with the urgency of Mr Crouch's or council's responses to our concerns.
"No new work or study has been undertaken to assess solutions to the issues we've raised, although council's Ms Jeanette Williams has promised to expedite new speed limit signage and painted signs on Greenfield and Rickard Rds and investigate the potential installation of stop signs at the intersection of these roads.
"I've been in contact with Woy Woy Highway Patrol who have been more present and that is much appreciated," Mr Olsen said.
The action group sent an email to Mr Crouch in November, at his request, detailing the works they believe Greenfield and Rickard Rds needed to be made safe.
The group said the roads needed to be resurfaced and footpaths, drains, kerb and guttering and on-street parking provided.
Mr Olsen also said the group would like to see traffic lights installed at the intersection of Empire Bay Dr and Greenfield Rd, but the group was told by an RMS project officer that funds allocated to improve the intersection were not enough to cover the cost of the lights.
"We are calling on Central Coast Council, Mr Adam Crouch and Ms Lucy Wicks for their support and action to address these neglected roads.
"The NSW Government has a budget surplus of $3.4 billion and the group and the Empire Bay community say it's time to act.
"It's time to see some of the profits from the sale of NSW public assets spent on Empire Bay," Mr Olsen said.
Group members will meet on December 14.
Interview, 5 Dec 2016
Gregory Olsen, Empire Bay and Districts Road Action Group
Reporter: Dilon Luke