Lemon Tree Passage Road Promise Sparks Fresh Election Debate

A $24.8 million election pledge by Liberal candidate Laurence Antcliff has brought renewed attention to the state of Lemon Tree Passage Road, a critical link on the Tilligerry Peninsula long regarded by locals as overdue for major safety upgrades.

Joined in Tanilba Bay by Senator Maria Kovacic and Shadow Defence Minister Andrew Hastie, Antcliff announced the commitment as part of the Liberal Party’s campaign to win back the federal seat of Paterson.

“This road has seen 19 crashes causing injury and two deaths in just five years,” Antcliff said in a public statement. “Our community deserves better, and only a Liberal Government has the plan to deliver these upgrades.”

The proposal includes widening narrow lanes and shoulders, resurfacing, improving signage and lighting, and addressing high-risk sections of the road. The funding would be contingent on a Coalition election win and delivered through federal channels in partnership with state and local governments.

Lemon Tree Passage Road has been the focus of safety campaigns for years. In 2021, a $1.1 million NSW Government project improved one notorious bend near Tanilba Bay after a series of serious crashes. Other minor works have been funded through local council and state black spot programs, but a full upgrade of the road has never eventuated.

Port Stephens Council has previously lobbied for the road to be reclassified as a state road to secure greater investment. In 2019, the NSW Coalition government committed to reclassifying 15,000 kilometres of local roads across the state, including Lemon Tree Passage Road. However, by 2023, no reclassifications had occurred, prompting frustration from councils.

In the 2023 state election campaign, NSW Labor pledged $10 million to address what it described as “12 years of neglect” of Port Stephens roads, specifically naming Lemon Tree Passage Road as a priority. After winning government, Labor allocated $12 million for local road upgrades in the area, although no comprehensive overhaul of Lemon Tree Passage Road has been delivered to date.

The federal Labor MP for Paterson, Meryl Swanson, has not publicly commented on the $24.8 million Liberal commitment at the time of writing. However, she has supported NSW Government initiatives to improve road safety in the region and highlighted the importance of cooperative funding between all levels of government.

Local residents have frequently raised concerns about the road’s condition. In online forums and community groups, many have welcomed the renewed focus but questioned whether the promise will lead to action.

Some pointed to previous election campaigns where similar promises were made but not delivered. One comment on social media noted, “The last two elections this road gets the upgrade promise and then it is scrapped.”

Independent voices have also stressed the need for realistic cooperation between all levels of government. Port Stephens Council has previously said it welcomes external funding but noted that responsibility for the road’s management must be clearly defined if major works are to proceed.

Senator Maria Kovacic and Andrew Hastie appeared alongside Antcliff in Tanilba Bay to support the announcement. Kovacic described Antcliff as a “strong advocate for local families,” citing his construction industry background as a practical asset in delivering local projects. Hastie framed the announcement within the broader Liberal campaign focus on regional investment and infrastructure.

The Coalition has made a series of promises in the Paterson electorate, including $100 million for an overpass on the New England Highway at Maitland, $1.95 million for park and playground upgrades, and funding for sports infrastructure.