Government 'doing all it can' on Woy Woy Rd

The State Government is doing everything it can to help Gosford Council with the Woy Woy Rd closure, according to Minister for the Central Coast Mr John Della Bosca.

Mr Della Bosca, a Woy Woy Bay resident, said all efforts were being made to assist Gosford Council to manage the closure of Woy Woy Rd.

"Woy Woy Rd is a council road, but it is a vital and very significant road to the Peninsula, the Bays area and Kariong communities," Mr Della Bosca said.

"That is why I want to do everything I can to help council.

"I have spoken to Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal who assures me every assistance is being offered to council and the RTA is doing all it can to help ease traffic congestion on Brisbane Water Dr and along Kariong hill.

"The RTA has offered technical advice to Gosford Council regarding the damage to the road and has altered the traffic light phasing to increase time for traffic turning into and out of Brisbane Water Dr.

"I appreciate and understand that motorists are extremely frustrated - I too live in the area.

"Council has advised me they are still assessing the existing damage and the safety of the road and won't know the total cost of the damage until their investigations are complete.

Mr Della Bosca said he was investigating how the NSW Government can further assist Gosford Council.

"I want to see this road fixed as quickly as possible," Mr Della Bosca said.

Mr Della Bosca said this year the Iemma Government allocated more than $2.5 million in grant funding to Gosford Council for the maintenance of regional roads.

"This year the Iemma Government is spending around $80 million building better roads on the Central Coast," Mr Della Bosca said.

"Care and maintenance of local and regional roads is the responsibility of councils.

"Cr Craig Doyle is ill-informed and playing cheap politics when he attacks the RTA regarding the funding of regional roads.

"We have already given the council the funding in the form of block and repair grants at the start of the year.

"How council divides that funding up is a matter for council."

Press release, 30 Apr 2008 John Della Bosca, Minister for the Central Coast