Kiama Council today met with NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jennifer Aitchison to discuss the long-term future of Jamberoo Mountain Road.
Mayor Cameron McDonald said the meeting was an important step forward in Council's bid to have the road managed by the NSW Government.
"I want to thank the Minister for taking time to meet with myself and senior Council staff to discuss the challenges and opportunities for the future of Jamberoo Mountain Road," Cr McDonald said.
"We were able to openly and frankly discuss the troubled recent history of the road, with the increasing number of extreme weather events destroying sections of the road, putting it out of use for significant periods of time."
"Council has been advocating since September 2022 that Jamberoo Mountain Road should be reclassified from a Regional Road to a State Road."
"It is refreshing and very much appreciated that the Minister could visit Kiama to discuss this incredibly important issue face-to-face with us. A draft Reclassification Report is to be imminently released by the NSW Government to which Council will have the opportunity to make representations."
Mayor McDonald said Council was able to brief the Minister on the history of recent damage to the road and the significant time and funding dedicated by Kiama Council as well as the NSW and Australian Governments for repairs.
"We remain forever grateful for the quite considerable funding and other support the Australian and NSW Governments have provided in recent years for us to repair the extensive damage caused by successive natural disasters."
"Our message to the Minister was, while we have been able to get the road reopened each time, the size of this commitment in the long term is beyond the capabilities of a small council such as ours."
Repair costs over the past 4 years and a number of declared disasters have been $13 million. The most recent repairs in 2022/23 required more than $4 million in funding alone.
Council appreciated attempts by the Minister to introduce new funding recovery processes. Council was able to confirm that outstanding recovery funds will be paid over the next 4 weeks.
"While the funding support has been fantastic. The hidden costs for our small council lies in managing these large and extended engineering projects."
"Significantly, there are costs to our community and local economy while Jamberoo Mountain Road has been closed. That's money and associated social costs you cannot recoup."
"I thank the Minister for her time and remain hopeful we can progress the future of this important piece of infrastructure not just for Kiama but our entire region."
Photo: At the meeting were Peter Luke (KMC Acting Director Infrastructure & Liveability), Minister Jenny Aitchison, Mayor Cameron McDonald, Dr Sarah Kaine MLC, Joe Gaudiosi (KMC Chief Operating Officer)
