What are the five worst streets?
A few issues back, Cr Jane Smith offered us the opportunity to comment on what we saw as the five worst streets on the Peninsula.
Until now I had not seen any response to that, in spite of regular unsolicited private comments by people known to me.
I notice in the February 6 edition of a regional newspaper, it is reported that the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has sent Central Coast Council a list of the five streets on the Peninsula it would like to see added to the Councils capital works program.
After reading the article, I visited the list locations to test my thoughts, versus those expressed.
Firstly, Rabaul Ave, acknowledged as recently resurfaced but "lacking kerb and gutter, concrete footpaths, and stormwater drainage", like most of the Peninsula, not to mention safe entry-exit at the bus stops, as it is a bus route.
Second was Brittania St, between Ocean Beach Rd and Springwood St, quoted as a "rat run", a claim I suggest is singularly exaggerated.
Have a look at Paul and King Sts or Cambridge St, which are also streets running east to west bounded by Bourke Rd and West St, between Ocean Beach Rd and Springwood St.
Thirdly, Albion St, which I agree with, could use resurfacing.
Fourthly, Rickard St. It is not on my list, but it does suffer from our intent to make all real estate dual occupancies and eliminating sufficient safe street parking.
Fifthly, Beach St, between Springwood St and Broken Bay Rd.
Beach St, between Springwood St and Barrenjoey Rd, has more recently been drastically improved with resurfacing and widening, including bus stop laybacks.
The remainder between Barrenjoey and Broken Bay has existing kerb and gutter, and again, is not on my list.
I would ask: What about The Esplanade between Kourang and Bangalow Sts?
What about Bangalow also, between Barrenjoey and The Esplanade?
Karingi St, between Barrenjoey and Broken Bay, is a genuine "rat run".
In summary, in my opinion, the bus routes deserve first priority including safe use on and off the buses at each stop, unless there is some sort of calamity with other streets, unidentified at this time.
I am equally sure that, if the people of south Umina spoke up, there would be another likely five candidates.
SOURCE:
Email, 8 Feb 2025
Darron Shaw, Ettalong