There’s nothing like an impending election to get a government to pull its wallet out – or for an opposition party to promise to do so if voted into office.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
There has been little progress on solving the flooding issue at Cessnock Road, Testers Hollow, in recent weeks.
That’s despite the major route between Maitland and the Hunter Expressway being taken out of action by floodwater for up to a week at a time twice in the past year.
But with the announcement that a federal election could take place as soon as July 2, the wheels of political campaigning have begun to turn.
Even though Cessnock Road is the responsibility of the state government, the flood issue at Testers Hollow has attracted the attention of those in the federal political arena in recent weeks.
Liberal Paterson MP Bob Baldwin outlined the problem to his colleagues in the House of Representatives earlier this month and Labor Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon has also taken an interest in the issue.
On Wednesday, former Rudd government cabinet member Anthony Albanese – now federal Labor’s spokesman for transport and infrastructure – will visit Testers Hollow and hear about the impact of floods first hand.
While the federal government doesn’t necessarily have jurisdiction over the upkeep of Cessnock Road, there’s no reason it can’t help the state government with some funding to finally flood-proof the road – or build an alternate route.
The cost of either option will be large and it no doubt a major reason behind the lack of action up to now.
Federal funding could help remove this excuse.
Flooding at Testers Hollow has been happening for at least 100 years, according to archives of media reports from the early 20th century.
Last April, during the Hunter’s natural disaster, the flooded road was part of what caused Gillieston Heights residents to be isolated for more than a week.
In January, this year, the road flooded again and the pelicans moved in for about a week.
The fact that both sides of parliament have been speaking about this issue before the election campaign has officially hit bodes well for the chances that something meaningful will be done.
But it’s actions, not just words, that the Hunter needs.