The Shoalhaven City Council must upgrade Yalwal Road at West Nowra to ensure safer access and travel for residents, according to Ward One candidates.
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The team, who will be running for ward one at the September Shoalhaven City Council election, called for the busy road to be upgraded to include pathways, after showing Kiama MP Gareth Ward the road and the Farm Depot site on Wednesday morning, April 14.
Led by North Nowra education trainer Serena Copley, the team expressed concern over the safety of West Nowra residents given the area is growing.
"We've got developments coming in at West Nowra, with one being 300 homes. These people who have to walk their children or get to the bus stop, just have no safe access whatsoever," said Ms Copley.
"The volume of traffic and the access for residents is only going to get worse. With growth, there needs to come upgrades to infrastructure."
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West Nowra resident and Ward One candidate Francoise Sikora said access is especially hard for those using mobility aids.
"Being a resident, I saw a poor gentleman on a motor scooter on the road with trucks coming past. Can you imagine the risks on such a busy road?" she said.
Asked whether Serena supports a rate rise at the next election to fund the upgrades, she said "I support a better management of the funds that the council already has to administer."
"I think it's about bringing focus to certain areas and prioritising them. I don't necessarily agree with increasing rates.
"I think council having fiscal responsibility is important and applying for every grant from the State government that is available, and also watching very closely to make sure where money is spent is the best possible bang for your buck for ratepayers and residents."
Mr Ward also expressed frustration about the issue.
"I've ripped the council about this road in the past and I've just got fobbed off. It's been an issue for all the young families that want to come down here for a while now," he said.
"Shelley and I have both been frustrated that there is grant money available that hasn't been applied for."
Ms Sikora said she had received communication from the Shoalhaven City Council that footpaths in West Nowra will be "due for consideration in 2023."
"But consideration is not good enough," she said.
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