Swamp Road is regularly closed due to flooding but a new grant will help better protect motorists. Photo: Kiama Municipal Council.
A new pre-warning management system to reduce flood risk will be implemented on a key thoroughfare between Jamberoo and Dunmore.
Kiama Municipal Council in partnership with Shellharbour City Council have received a $150,000 grant to improve the flood management of Swamp Road and better protect motorists during significant weather events.
The project will include manual boom gate installations to replace temporary barriers that are prone to damage or removal during storms.
Kiama Councillor Stuart Larkins said the change would help prevent motorists moving the bollards to travel on the road before it was safe to do so.
“Previously every time it floods, both Kiama and Shellharbour councils would put up the barrier or some flood stands or road closure signs,” he said.
“But particularly with Swamp Road what we’ve noticed in the past is that unfortunately some people have moved those signs particularly as people feel more confident being able to drive along the road or they feel that the waters are receding – but obviously those particular decisions need to be made by the authorities.”
The boom gates would be operated by council workers when road closures were required.
Shellharbour Council has already installed a boom gate on the northern end of the stretch, which raised a lot of questions within the community.
“Many live in Jamberoo using that road and were a little bit puzzled by seeing it,” Cr Larkins said.
“Just getting out the information about the boom gate going up is pretty important particularly since we’re getting one also on the Kiama side of Swamp Road.”
Kiama Council is looking to adopt the same gate design and dimensions to maintain a consistent approach across both jurisdictions.
Negotiations are underway for Kiama to acquire a prefabricated gate from Shellharbour which would fast-track the installation process.
Swamp Road regularly floods during deluges and quickly becomes inundated and dangerous with rainfall, with water over the road creating treacherous conditions.
The grant from the Office of Local Government aims to improve the efficiency of these road closures and allow both councils to administer a coordinated flood response when rising water levels make the road impassable.
Kiama Municipal Council Infrastructure and Operations Director Darren Brady welcomed the funding and collaboration.
“This project demonstrates the value of cross-council partnerships in enhancing community safety during emergencies,” he said.
As well as the boom gate, additional flashing light signage is also being sought, to better alert and communicate with motorists when the road is closed ahead.
