Frustrated Gillieston Heights residents have started a petition to see Testers Hollow raised after floodwater isolated the community.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In three days, the online petition has collected more than 700 signatures and campaign creator Sonia Warby is not surprised with the quick uptake.
“I was born and bred in Gillieston Heights,” she said.
“People have always talked about it, raising the road to bring it above the flood level.
“It is time for something to be done.”
Testers Hollow is the area between Gillieston Heights and Cliftleigh, along Cessnock Road.
During the super storm last week, both ends of this road went under water and turned Gillieston Heights into an island, only accessible by boat.
Ms Warby was one of many people who were affected by the rapidly rising waters.
She was stuck on the “mainland” and her school-aged daughter was trapped on Gillieston Island, as it was dubbed.
They were separated for six days.
“This year has shown that if the weather continues like this we need to raise the road,” Ms Warby said.
“With extra development there will be extra water too.
“If Testers Hollow is raised it gives us an out.”
Raising the road at Testers Hollow would prevent Gillieston Heights from being completely cut off when Fishery Creek floods.
The petition will remain open for the next six weeks when it will be presented to the Roads and Maritime Services, Maitland City Council and Maitland MP (elect) Jenny Aitchison.
To sign the online petition visit www.change.org and search for Raise Tester Hollow.
Comments from the petition page:
My 80-year-old grandparents were trapped and none of our family could get to them. They were getting low on food and medication and not having power made life hard for them. If the road was raised, this should never happen again. To be honest, it should never have happened in the first place. It should have been fixed years ago! - Kristina Wyborn
Testers has flooded way too many times. Now it’s a main access from the expressway. Not acceptable, nor is putting more and more inhabitants into an area without correct infrastructure. - Kerry Hallett
Testers Hollow is named after my great-great-grandfather who lived there and I am sure if my ancestors were here today they would be shaking their heads as to the lack of planning that has occurred over the years. Progress is needed and this means building up the road and putting in a bridge or something. - Narelle Dunn
I live in Gillieston Heights and we have been isolated for too long when this can be prevented. One life lost is one too many. - Alisha Cronan
Enough is enough, something needs to be done. - Letisha Malloy
I’m moving to Gillieston Heights mid year and have children, one with food allergies, and it is important that we have access to hospitals, doctors and even just chemists. - Sarah Mirams
