Petition Pushes for State Funding to Rebuild Damaged Port Stephens Roads

newy.com.au – Port Stephens Council has launched a community petition calling on the NSW Government to urgently fund major repairs to Medowie Road and Lemon Tree Passage Road, amid growing concerns over worsening road conditions. The move follows an urgency motion from Central Ward Councillor Chris Doohan, who warned that local government funding is insufficient to meet the scale of the upgrades required.

Mayor Leah Anderson said both roads have deteriorated significantly under the strain of rising traffic volumes and ongoing weather events, and current council budgets only allow for basic surface patching.

“We have sections now heavily damaged, and Council funding can only support temporary pothole patching and surface repairs, not the long term reconstruction these roads urgently need,” Mayor Anderson said.

Councillor Doohan said the petition gives residents and local businesses a chance to demonstrate how essential the two routes are to the region.

“Medowie Road and Lemon Tree Passage Road are critical links for residents, workers and visitors, yet they’re in a state of disrepair,” he said. “These roads need to be urgently reclassified from regional roads to State roads to ensure they receive the appropriate funding, ongoing maintenance and safety improvements our community deserves.”

The petition requires 20,000 signatures to trigger a debate in NSW Parliament. Cr Doohan urged the community to rally behind the campaign. “We need our community to get behind this petition and show their support,” he said.

Councillor Ben Niland acknowledged the scale of the task but emphasised the importance of public involvement. “We’re asking our community to sign the petition and share it with family and friends. The more people get involved, the closer we come to achieving the numbers needed to make this initiative impactful and beneficial for everyone,” he said.

The petition can be signed online at portstephens.nsw.gov.au, through Council’s Facebook page, or in person at Council libraries, the Visitor Information Centre, or the Administration Building.