Hunter councils are pushing to transfer hundreds of kilometres of local roads to the NSW state government, citing rising maintenance costs and population growth. The region's once-quiet suburban roads have become major thoroughfares, straining council budgets.
Lake Macquarie City Council wants Minmi Road and Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park reclassified as state roads. Council assets manager Dayne Harris said these roads are key routes in one of the fastest-growing areas of the Hunter Region.
Port Stephens Council submitted a petition with over 5,000 signatures to the NSW Parliament, seeking the transfer of Medowie Road and Lemon Tree Passage Road. Assets manager John Maretich noted both roads suffered major damage from recent wet weather and face pressure from population growth and heavy traffic, with council funding only covering temporary repairs.
Maitland City Council wants eight local roads transferred, including Weakleys Drive, Glenwood Drive, Thornton Road, Railway Avenue, Glenroy Street, Haussman Drive, and Metford Road. Acting director Darren Crumpler said reclassifying Metford Road would support growth in Chisholm and East Maitland.
Cessnock Shire seeks reclassification of Wollombi Road and Old Maitland Road, while Singleton Council wants to transfer 80 kilometres of roads, including Putty Road, Glendonbrook Road, and Broke Road. Muswellbrook Shire, facing pressure from coal and renewable energy industries, wants Wybong Road East, Kayuga Road, and Thomas Mitchell Drive taken over. Dungog Shire, the only LGA in NSW without a state-funded road, is seeking state declaration for roads linking Tocal to Dungog.
NSW Road Minister Jenny Aitchison said the state government is preparing a new system to simplify road reclassification requests, contrasting with previous processes. Hunter mayors are lining up to submit their lists.
