Cessnock Mayor Provides Crucial Update on Wollombi Road Upgrade Amidst Rising Resident Concerns
In a bid to address mounting concerns among residents, Cessnock Mayor Jay Suuval has issued a vital update on the ongoing Wollombi Road upgrade. The development comes as local residents gear up for their own town hall meeting to discuss the matter.
Mayor Suuval took to official channels to provide the update and urged residents to rely on verified sources of information. He announced an information session scheduled to take place at the Cessnock Library on October 17th.
Simultaneously, the “Save Wollombi Road Committee” is organizing a town hall event set to happen tomorrow at ECBC. The committee has extended invitations to the entire town and all Councilors. However, it remains unclear whether anyone will represent the Council in an official capacity at this gathering.
The timing of this town hall meeting has is not great for many, as it falls on the first Sunday of the school holiday period. Nevertheless, both businesses and residents share legitimate concerns regarding the proposed upgrades. Key questions such as the feasibility of implementing four lanes, provisions for parking and footpaths, traffic management, repositioning of power poles, and the status of underground infrastructure like water pipes and telecommunications cables remain unanswered. Additionally, developments in Bellbird suggest that upgrades to water and sewage pipes may be necessary, and this could potentially align with the road improvements.
The question of the long-anticipated ring road project, championed by Mayor Jay Suuval prior to his election, still looms. The council has confirmed that a study is underway for the proposed ring road. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that this grand vision depends heavily on significant state funding for land acquisition and construction. The estimated costs could soar into the hundreds of millions, a sum that the local council simply cannot shoulder independently, One Nation priced it at $95 Million prior to the state election which I believe it totally under valued.
Mayor Suuval emphasized, “There are many inquiries regarding the Wollombi Road upgrades. The Council is currently in the site inspection and preliminary design stage. I implore anyone seeking information to ensure it is obtained from reliable sources.” He further directed residents to access the latest community information flyer and assured that numerous engagement sessions are on the horizon. One such session is slated to be held at the Cessnock Library from 5-7 pm on Tuesday, October 17th. For continuous updates on the project, residents are encouraged to visit the council’s website: https://www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au/Works/Major-works/Wollombi-Road-Upgrades.
