Jamberoo Mountain Road is one of two roads set to receive a safety upgrade. Photo: Kiama Council.
Permanent active warning signs will be installed on the notoriously hazardous Jamberoo Mountain Road and Jamberoo Road.
Kiama Council will install seven high-visibility LED signs, with four on Jamberoo Mountain Road and three on Jamberoo Road near Swamp Road.
These new signs, to be installed between 24 to 28 November, will deliver real-time updates to drivers, displaying critical alerts such as “Road Closed” or “One Lane Ahead”.
This will help motorists make informed decisions before reaching hazardous or impassable sections of the road.
Both roads are well known for their frequent closures due to severe weather, including flooding and landslips. As both routes are narrow and winding, it often leaves little to no safe opportunity to turn around once a hazard is encountered, putting drivers at unnecessary risk.
Jamberoo Mountain Road has undergone extensive remedial work in recent years.
The key route between Kiama and Robertson was closed for almost a year after severe weather caused dangerous landslips in 2022.
In May this year, less than a year after that closure, it was closed for further landslide repair works.
Further emergency works were carried out in October, again following severe weather.
Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald welcomed the project.
“This is a smart and long-overdue investment in public safety. These signs will give residents and visitors advance warning, avoiding hours of frustration and risk on some of our most challenging roads,” he said.
“We know how dangerous Jamberoo Mountain Road and Swamp Road can be during heavy rain or after storms. These new signs will mean people can avoid driving into trouble in the first place.”
Unlike temporary signage, these permanently installed LED displays are always on standby and can be remotely updated, ensuring accurate and consistent communication, which is particularly critical during rapidly changing weather conditions.
“It’s all about giving people the information they need to make safer decisions – especially when dealing with roads that can become dangerous very quickly,” Cr McDonald said.
Residents are encouraged to check Live Traffic updates before travelling on high-risk routes, especially during or after heavy rainfall and to always follow the warnings displayed on the signs.
Funding has been provided through the Office of Local Government and the Department of Regional NSW’s Infrastructure Betterment Fund.
