RESIDENTS want Lake Macquarie City Council to fast-track plans for road improvements outside Bonnells Bay Public School to help boost safety in the wake of growing truck traffic generated by development sites at Morisset Park.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Work on the proposed Trinity Point marina has yet to start as the assessment process is continuing.
But trucks are heading to Johnson Property Group's Apollo Residences, in Henry Road.
There is no suggestion that the trucks are travelling illegally, nor that the drivers are doing anything wrong.
Locals acknowledge that there is simply one way in, and one way out, of Morisset Park.
Morisset resident Warrick Stockdale said he dropped off his son at Bonnells Bay Public School, in Morisset Park Road, and saw four trucks go past in 10 minutes.
Some of the trucks were uncomfortably close to cars parked along the side of the road, Mr Stockdale said.
"[It's a problem] around drop-off and pick-up time because the side of the road is covered with cars, and the view from the opposite side of the road is quite bad due to the curve in the road," Mr Stockdale said.
He's concerned that if the Trinity Point marina development is approved, the number of trucks in Morisset Park Road and Fishery Point Road could increase dramatically.
Bonnells Bay Public School principal Mark Stiller said the issue has been on the school's radar for a while, and not just because of trucks.
"There is always concern about the front of the school, because the road is so narrow," Mr Stiller said.
President of Bonnells Bay Progress Association, Col Roach, said council should act now to renovate the shoulder of Morisset Park Road, on the side opposite the school.
He said there are a number of developments in the area, such as Aquilo Estate, which are boosting student enrolments at the school, a trend that would only continue.
Figures from the NSW Department of Education show that since 2010, the school's enrolments have increased by 43 students.
Council is currently assessing the costing for planned on-street parking, a footpath, and a pedestrian crossing at the site. Design work and a cost estimate are scheduled for completion this financial year.
Mr Roach wants it done sooner rather than later, as funding for the project cannot be sought until the planning and costing is completed.
Paying for the work
THE planned works opposite Bonnells Bay Public School are expected to be funded in part by Section 94 developer contributions.
Council currently has $4.3million in uncommitted Section 94 funds for the Morisset Contributions Catchment which includes Morisset Peninsula.
A spokesperson for Johnson Property Group said the company is required to pay just over $510,000 in Section 94 contributions for the creation of the 33 lots in Stage 5 of the Apollo release at Morisset Park.
Of that amount, just over $40,390 will directly contribute to the upgrade of Fishery Point Road at its intersection with Morisset Park Road (outside the school) and the Fishery Point Road intersection with Station Street, the spokesperson said.
‘‘We pay all our Section 94 contributions and trust that council will spend the funds where the community needs it most. Unfortunately, we don’t get to direct or even suggest when or where council should use the funds,’’ they said.
For the remaining residential stages 5 through 11, JPG is required to pay about $1.5million in Section 94 contributions, of which about $120,000 will contribute to work at the two intersections, they said.
Section 94 contributions for the Trinity Point marina and associated tourism and residential facilities are yet to be determined.
– David Stewart
