From the Lord Mayor's Office
Major road upgrade essential to West Dapto vision
Closing a major road for any length of time is never a decision Council takes lightly, so the looming closure of a section of West Dapto Road from this Tuesday (29 July) has been long in the planning.
There is no question this will be a major upheaval for the many regular users of West Dapto Road, particularly residents of Stream Hill, Wongawilli and Horsley. The fact that West Dapto Road is such an important road link connecting these communities is precisely why this upgrade project is so essential.
West Dapto Urban Release Area (WDURA) is the largest urban release in NSW outside the Sydney region. The decades to come will see 19,000 new homes built and an additional 55,000 people make the area home.
In the future it will require the construction of new schools and sporting and recreation facilities throughout these suburbs, including the Darkes Sporting and Community Hub that will be accessed via this section of West Dapto Road.
Upgrading this major thoroughfare between Shone Avenue and east of Yard Street is not isolated road works or improvements, it is a major project aimed at meeting the long-term housing needs of our growing population.
It is vital that these rapidly growing suburbs and facilities are safely and effectively linked by supporting road and transport infrastructure. While we always look to carry out these important works without the need for road closures, this is not always possible or in the best interests of the community.
The time and cost savings of carrying out construction under full road closure are substantial and will ensure a higher quality road finish. The project is also installing new paths and a pedestrian bridge, and stormwater drainage infrastructure, all of which is aimed at ensuring people can reliably and safely move through their suburbs.
While a temporary road closure is an inconvenience, the implementation of fixed and reliable alternative routes will allow residents to plan and carry out their regular journeys without the shifting and uncertain delays that come with moving through a live construction site under traffic control.
We’ve also worked extensively with Transport for NSW to ensure residents who utilise public transport in these areas can plan their journeys with certainty via adjusted routes and services.
I completely understand the concerns of residents, particularly when it comes to the possibility of heavy rain or extreme weather events. It’s why there are contingency plans in place should high-rainfall events impact the alternative routes over the construction period.
These works, and other major projects like the Cleveland Road upgrade, are all part of a broader strategy to reduce congestion, improve access during heavy rain, and provide effective links between these emerging suburbs and the wider road network.
Short-term pain for long-term gain is an often overused phrase, but it is apt to describe the need for this temporary road closure, and I thank our residents for their patience and understanding as we carry out this significant project.
