Given the level of public outrage when the main road at Testers Hollow was closed because of floodwater for almost a week in January, it’s strange to hear that momentum behind a petition to have the road fixed has slowed to a crawl.
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Organiser Sonia Warby says the petition has only received 753 new signatures since January.
That means at 4753, it’s still more than 5000 signatures short of being tabled in State Parliament, where it’s likely a solution to this ongoing problem lies.
Ms Warby says residents in the Maitland and Cessnock area appear to have lost interest in the issue.
Cessnock Road at Testers Hollow has been impassable on many occasions during the past century.
When the road flooded in January, it was the second lengthy closure in less than a year.
The issue has attracted the attention of those who could one day be in decision-making positions, including Meryl Swanson, who has confirmed she will seek pre-selection to represent Labor in the battle for Paterson at this year’s federal election.
In an interview with the Mercury, Ms Swanson was quick to highlight the need for a solution at Testers Hollow as one of the key issues for the community.
Although Cessnock Road is a piece of state infrastructure, Ms Swanson pointed out that the federal government could contribute money to a solution.
It would be a mistake to become complacent about the problem simply because it hasn’t rained recently.
If that happens, we will be stuck at square one when the road floods again.
So print a copy of the petition from the Mercury’s website and get your friends and family to support the cause.