ROCK FALLS ON LAWRENCE HARGRAVE DRIVE

The issue of the falling rocks is becoming more frustrating as the RTA continues its policy of closing the road in heavy rain. With the number of days that the road has been closed within the past few months far exceeding that of the RTA’s expectations for a full year, frustrations are running high. The RTA is feeling vindicated at the moment as a huge rock fell onto the road near where the pine trees are.
Recently a deputation was made to Council to try to persuade them to enter the situation and help find a solution.
Locally, business leaders have lobbied residents to take up the issue with Council and our government representatives by writing letters about the “continual and abrupt closures of Lawrence Hargrave Drive.” The main arguments at present are the impact on local business, disruption to bus services which affects residents and school children, and the detouring of traffic up to the freeway and the old highway which many consider to be more dangerous than dodging the rocks.
Many are questioning the RTA’s decision to take this course of action without proper consideration of both the economic impact of constant road closures and also the safety of road users when diverted along roads which are known accident spots, particularly in bad weather.
You would realize by now that the continual and abrupt closures of Lawrence Hargrave Drive are severely affecting the social and economic fabric of our society. By any reasonable measure, alternative routes pose a greater threat to public safety during wet weather and we have a right as rate and taxpayers to demand that the road be open continuously.
The RTA bureaucracy will only respond to political pressure. Residents are urged to exercise their democratic rights by writing to the following politicians to apply pressure to find a satisfactory solution to the issues.
• The Hon David Campbell, MP, Minister for Regional Development and the Illawarra and Small Business, Shops 2 & 3, 247 Princes Highway, Corrimal 2518, E-mail keira@parliament.nsw.gov.au.
• The Hon Carl Scully, MP, NSW Minister for Transport & Roads, Level 36, Governor Macquarie Tower, E-mail car1.scully@ transport.minister.nsw.gov.au.
• Paul McLeay, MP, Member for Heathcote, PO Box 346, Engadine NSW 2233, E-mail heathcote@parliament.nsw.gov.au.
• Cr Alex Darling, Lord Mayor of Wollongong, Locked Bag 8821, South Coast Mail Centre 2521, E-mail: adarling@wollongong.nsw.gov.au.