Chamber applies for money to fix road

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has bypassed Gosford Council and lodged an application for funding for reconstruction of Lone Pine Ave under the Nation Building Program Black Spot Projects.

"It has been a constant source of frustration that Lone Pine Ave and its intersection with Ocean Beach Rd has not been listed on any of Gosford City Council's works programs despite its desperate state of repair and dangerous condition", said Chamber president Mr Matthew Wales.

"Despite the fact that Lone Pine Ave is a busy collector road feeding Ocean Beach Rd and cross connections through to Railway St and Woy Woy Rd, Council has not listed it as a priority project in Council's Four Year Rolling Works Program or in any other advanced program of works.

"For some considerable time, the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has raised concerns over the poor state of the road and its intersection with Ocean Beach Rd at the Umina Mall retail complex.

"It has been advised that the road is not listed for upgrading or reconstruction and that no funds are currently available for such works", said Mr Wales.

"We understand that Lone Pine Ave has been previously assessed for possible Black Spot Program funding but did not qualify under the structured guidelines associated with an application at the time.

"We also understand that the upgrading of this intersection did not form part of the Black Spot Program upgrading for Ocean Beach Rd undertaken several years ago as a result of the higher priority accorded to other works elsewhere along Ocean Beach Rd.

"However, it is the Chamber's view that with increasing traffic in the area and the need to ensure the safety of pedestrians and motorists, the project should be reviewed for possible inclusion as a Nation Building Program Black Spot Project.

"Consequently, the Chamber has taken the initiative and lodged a formal application with the Black Spot Consultative Panel in the hope that we can ensure that the road and intersection secures funding for these much needed works," he said.

Media Release, 13 May 2011 Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce