Anthony Albanese wants all levels of government to work together to fix Testers Hollow | PHOTOS

Opposition transport and infrastructure spokesman Anthony Albanese, a former government minister, visited Cessnock Road at Testers Hollow on Wednesday to call for all levels of government to work towards a solution.

The road has been cut by floodwater for about a week on two occasions in the past year.

Flooding at the site has been an ongoing problem for at least a century, according to media archives, but no money has been allocated to fix the state-funded road.

“This is unacceptable in the 21st Century,” Mr Albanese said. 

“We shouldn’t have communities that are isolated simply because of a lack of practical infrastructure.

“I want to work with the local members and the Mayor of Maitland and the Mayor of Cessnock, who want practical solutions to this problem.

“[Federal Labor] would be prepared to sit down with other levels of government and talk about what the solution is and what contribution we might be able to make. 

“Clearly there needs to be a solution. You can’t have people cut off for six days.”

Mr Albanese said he was not aware of the state government making any approaches to the federal government regarding Testers Hollow in the past 12 months.

The Mayor of Maitland Cr Peter Blackmore, Cessnock Mayor Cr Bob Pynsent, Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon and candidate for Paterson Meryl Swanson accompanied Mr Albanese on the site visit.

Liberal Paterson MP Bob Baldwin said the visit was a political stunt.

“Labor had plenty of chance to pip in and help when they were in government for six years but now the area is in a marginal seat they are finally taking notice of the area and making a song and dance,” he said.

“The extension of the M1, known as the missing link, and Testers Hollow are my major roads priorities for the area. The M1 is a priority for this Coalition government as shown by its inclusion in the Australian Infrastructure Plan.”