Hawke Head Dr is finally sealed

Central Coast Council has finally sealed Hawke Head Dr, Hardys Bay, after "many years" of campaigning by local residents..

Ms Cate Cotterell said their house was constantly covered by fine dust and they have been concerned about the possible health hazard.

"We, and other residents, have been in frequent contact over many years with Council to get this problem addressed and we've also had support for the campaign from local groups such as the Wagstaffe-Killcare Community Association and the Hardys Bay Club," she said.

"There is a surprising amount of traffic on the road, and it's not just, or even mainly, residents who use it - the road gets a lot of use, especially at weekends and in summer.

"It is the only road into Bouddi National Park, with access to Box Head, Tallow Beach and the popular Flannel Flower walking track to Wagstaffe.

"The speed of vehicles using the road was a constant worry as its surface was often in bad condition and there is a steep drop on one side," Ms Cotterell said.

Another resident, Mr James Balfour, said the unsealed surface seemed to be taken as a challenge by some drivers.

"Utes especially often roared up the road and around the blind corners and it's lucky no one has been hurt over the years," he said.

"The damage caused by the heavy traffic meant that Council frequently had to send a crew and equipment to grade the road but this was only ever a temporary solution.

Both the Cotterells were members of the Killcare Rural Fire Brigade and they said that the grading used to cover over the fire hydrants.

"In an emergency we would have to locate them and dig them out," Mr Lyn Cotterell said.

"The newly sealed surface includes well marked hydrants so we can respond more quickly in an emergency.

"Another problem with the old road surface was that it got washed out in heavy rains

"The new work includes the construction of large gutters and several culverts to take the stormwater to the downhill side of the road."

Mr Balfour said: "We are delighted that residents and visitors have a safer and cleaner road."

He said the community was now hoping they could persuade Council's garbage contractor to provide a garbage collection service at their driveways.

"This would save us from having to drag our bins several hundred metres to the nearest road junction at Nukara Ave," Mr Balfour said.

SOURCE:

Email, 3 Dec 2019

James Balfour, Hardys Bay

Photo: James Balfour