Story:
Darrell Nash and Kate Yates
The Hatch Road, Blackmans Point, resident Geoff Clark said the locals who live on his stretch are being ignored by council in relation to numerous complaints made about the state of their road, damage to vehicles and safety concerns.
And in light of a fatality at Blackmans Point in recent weeks, they want something done about it, before it’s too late.
About 9.30am on July 4, an 18-year-old man was driving a Holden Commodore sedan east on Blackmans Point Road when he veered off the roadway and crashed into a tree.
He suffered extensive injuries and tragically died at the scene.
However, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has defended its actions in relation to The Hatch Road, stating it has been active in its response to people’s concerns.
Mr Clark said the sealed section of roadway is part of a rural subdivision established in 1973 under the Hastings Shire.
“Subdivisions are required to have a sealed roadway and our allotments are zoned residential and our rates reflect this,” he said.
However, the sealed bitumen section of The Hatch Road was ripped up some years ago, due to damage allegedly caused by heavy vehicles, he said.
Mr Clark said at that time council indicated the decision to replace the sealed section with a gravel road was based on safety and economic reasons.
“If council was so concerned about safety, then why did they replace it with an even bigger problem and then close Bills Hill Road which was the only other access into or out of our properties?” he asked.
Mr Clark said this has created a problem where, if anything, such as a tree, fire or car accident, should block either Blackmans Point Road or The Hatch Road, there is now no other way in or out in the emergency.
“I understand that there are substantial costs involved in replacing the bitumen surface but can’t understand why council continues to put lives at risk by using such a slippery and dangerous road surface,” he said.
Residents reported they are often unable to drive cars into garages as they are covered in mud and clay, following the short trip on the section of road.
They believed the life expectancy of their vehicles was much shorter than other ratepayers’ due to the damage sustained from driving on the road.
“It takes every resident to complain to council before they come out to ‘fix the road’ and then, when they do come out, they simply fill the potholes with the mud and clay that they scoop out of the ditches on the side of the road,” Mr Clark said.
“As soon as it rains, the clay washes back out, revealing the potholes; and travelling along the road feels more like ice skating than driving.”
Mr Clark was adamant that it’s only a matter of time before “someone is seriously hurt or even killed and only then will council take residents’ concerns seriously.”
Council’s Group Manager Infrastructure Operations Gary Randall, confirmed that there has been ongoing correspondence and discussion with residents of The Hatch Road and it is taking an active approach to the situation.
“While the expectations of residents have been noted, council has explained that, in terms of safety, The Hatch Road is one of the widest and straightest unsealed roads in the local government area,” he said.
“Wet weather has affected many of our unsealed roads and The Hatch Road is particularly vulnerable as it is very low lying.
“The traffic movements and road condition have been assessed and The Hatch Road has been placed on the high traffic unsealed road maintenance schedule, which means it is on a six month rotation for grading.”
