$100 Million Thornton Roads Fix a Non-Negotiable, Says Philip Penfold

Independent candidate for Paterson and Maitland Mayor Philip Penfold says fixing Thornton’s worsening congestion must be a priority for whoever forms government after the next federal election, declaring the long-awaited roads package a “non-negotiable” condition of his support in a hung parliament.

In a media statement, Mr Penfold called for a $100 million federal commitment to ease traffic gridlock at Thornton and Chisholm, describing the situation as a “major bottleneck” that has been overlooked by both Liberal and Labor governments for too long.

“If elected as the Independent Member for Paterson, I will make it clear to any government seeking my support: a $100 million commitment to fix the long-standing congestion at Thornton will be non-negotiable,” Mr Penfold said.

The proposed investment would focus on Thornton Road, Raymond Terrace Road and the broader link to the New England Highway, which currently serves as a vital corridor for residents travelling between Maitland, Port Stephens, and the Hunter Expressway. Mr Penfold said local residents were paying the price for years of poor infrastructure planning and delays.

Thornton and Chisholm are among Maitland’s fastest-growing suburbs, with large housing developments outpacing road upgrades for over a decade. Thousands of new residents in estates such as Wirraway and Waterford now funnel into a small number of arterial roads, causing daily gridlock and long commute times.

In recent years, Maitland City Council, under Mr Penfold’s leadership has partnered with the NSW Government on projects such as the $26 million upgrade of the Raymond Terrace Road and Government Road intersection. That project, opened earlier this year, added traffic lights and additional lanes to ease congestion but fell short of solving the broader problem.

The key choke point remains the narrow rail overpass on Thornton Road, which still carries two lanes over the main railway line. The NSW Government has committed $15 million toward planning its duplication, but construction has not yet begun.

Flooding has also exposed the vulnerability of the local road network. When nearby roads are cut during storms, Thornton Road becomes one of the only viable access points to the New England Highway, placing further pressure on an already overstretched route.

Mr Penfold, who was elected Mayor of Maitland in 2021 after two previous attempts, is running as an independent in the marginal federal seat of Paterson. The seat, held by Labor’s Meryl Swanson, covers Maitland and parts of Port Stephens, and is considered a key battleground in the upcoming election.

He argues that infrastructure delivery has lagged behind population growth and that local ratepayers should not be expected to cover the cost of major transport projects.

“It’s not fair for Maitland ratepayers to shoulder the cost of roads that are the responsibility of state and federal governments, especially when developer contributions have been limited by both Labor and Liberal,” Mr Penfold said.

As Mayor, he has frequently advocated for local infrastructure, including flood mitigation, waste services, and road safety upgrades. His campaign for federal office includes plans to remain Mayor if elected, pledging to donate his council salary to local charities to avoid triggering a by-election, an unusual move that has raised questions from political opponents.

Although the full details of the $100 million Thornton package are yet to be outlined publicly, Penfold’s statement builds on growing pressure around traffic issues in the region.

Both major parties have recently committed to a separate $100 million project: a westbound overpass at the Maitland railway roundabout on the New England Highway. That project aims to resolve another major bottleneck and has been welcomed by candidates across the political spectrum. The eastbound overpass was completed in 2014, but its westbound counterpart was never delivered.

Mr Penfold welcomed that announcement but maintains that further investment is needed in Thornton and Chisholm to prevent worsening congestion and safety risks as the region continues to grow.

“I’m calling on both major party candidates to match this commitment,” he said. “Thornton and Chisholm residents deserve better. I’m committed to delivering a solution that improves safety, traffic flow, and quality of life for everyone in our community.”

The 2025 federal election is shaping up as a three-way contest in Paterson, with Mr Penfold facing incumbent Labor MP Meryl Swanson and Liberal candidate Laurence Antcliff. The seat is held by a margin of just 2.6%, making it one of the most marginal in the country.

Mr Antcliff has focused heavily on cost-of-living issues and has also backed major road upgrades, while Ms Swanson is campaigning on Labor’s record of investment in health and infrastructure.