Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer is calling for state funding to improve Dunmore Road. Photo: Shellharbour City Council.
Shellharbour Mayor Chris Homer is calling on the NSW Government to urgently fund and deliver upgrades to Dunmore Road, warning that without investment the single-lane route will be unable to cope with traffic to the new $780 million Shellharbour Hospital when it opens in 2027.
Cr Homer led the charge during Tuesday night’s (23 September) council meeting, describing the road as inadequate for the New Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services Project, which is under construction.
He said while he commended the State Government on developing a hospital that was a “quantum leap” from the present one, the important part was how people were going to access and move around the precinct.
“Dunmore Road, in its current state, is not fit for the traffic volumes we expect once the hospital opens,” he said.
“The NSW State Government has committed to upgrading the intersection where Dunmore Road meets at Shellharbour Road and the roundabout …, but Dunmore Road itself, the very road that leads into the hospital, is not on the NSW Government’s agenda to upgrade.
“I feel that’s a little incredulous for a $780 million hospital in that precinct.”
He said the single-lane road already served residents, the preschool to Year 12 Shellharbour Anglican College, Killalea State Park, Shellharbour Junction train station, The Links Shell Cove and golf course, and Shellharbour Waste and Recycling Centre.
“Safe and reliable vehicle access is essential and any congestion on this road could delay ambulances, patient transfers and everyday travel,” he said.
“Adding to the concern, Dunmore Road is deteriorating due to frequent use by heavy vehicles servicing the hospital construction, Bass Point Quarry and the Shellharbour Waste and Recycling Centre.”
To prevent further damage, council has capped the mass load limit at 57.5 tonnes as a short-term solution.
He said while 80 per cent of the roads used were a local government responsibility, he believed that within the hospital precinct project it was important the State Government not only paid for the upgrade of the intersection, but the upgrade of Dunmore Road itself.
“I certainly don’t want Dunmore Road in the future to become a problem in that area, and not only to become a problem, but for the upgrading to be cost shifted to local government and ratepayers,” he said.
“Providing the required infrastructure will allow for the anticipated growth and successful movement of residents, key workers and visitors the hospital precinct needs.”
Councillor Kellie Marsh emphasised a quality road’s critical importance for emergency services.
“When many people go to hospital, they’re at their most critical and vulnerable time of their lives,” Cr Marsh said.
“If you’re travelling via ambulance with critical injuries … you don’t want to be travelling on a substandard piece of infrastructure.
“We only need to look at Calderwood Road to see what happens when governments put in developments without putting in the appropriate infrastructure. It becomes an absolute mess.
“If we’re going to have a nice, beautiful, shiny hospital where they’re going to want to attract people and quality healthcare workers from across the state, they need to make sure they do this project holistically.”
Councillor Kane Murphy said there were existing issues in the area before the hospital was included.
“You only have to drive down Dunmore Road in a school zone time and it’s already very congested,” Cr Murphy said.
Councillor Rob Petreski asked if council had received any contributions towards infrastructure from the hospital site, to which council staff replied they weren’t able to levy contributions on Crown developments where they are for a public benefit.
Cr Petreski said he supported the push, suggesting council should seek funding from state or federal governments.
“We do have our own plans for a hotel there as well, further development, more housing to come and The Links is going from strength to strength,” he said.
“That all bodes well.
“So we’re going to have to do something with the road, and if we can get some assistance from the State Government or even the Federal Government … any assistance will be more than welcome.”
He said the State Government had already pledged funds for Tripoli Way Extension, and now assistance for Dunmore Road would be “fantastic”.
Council unanimously supported a motion calling for the mayor to write to the State Government to seek its support and funding for upgrading Dunmore Road.
