Not just a local problem

Residents and ratepayers of the Central Coast are very aware of the impact on Council's finances of the shifting of infrastructure responsibility from State to local government.

The impacts on the community of a fatal collapse at Piles Creek at Somersby and a slide at Bulls Hill at Correa Bay mirror a concern I have tried to address for over five years now regarding the condition of Patonga Dr and Pearl Beach Dr.

Only a comprehensive solution to the affected road surfaces will avert a collapse on these roads, which could prove fatal.

It is not an adequate response for our elected politicians to say it is a local government problem: It is a problem of all governments which collect our taxes to maintain an adequate infrastructure.

I would implore the Minister for the Central Coast to lead a proactive response to this problem before there are more deaths:

Gosford Council clearly does not have the resources to handle the problems of dangerous roads placed on it by State government in 1996-7.

We citizens deserve more concern for our safety than is currently being shown by politicians at all levels.

Residents of Pearl Beach and Patonga look forward to a cooperative response to this life-threatening issue.

Kay Williams Pearl Beach