Port Stephens Council backs new Roads Futures Strategy as pothole trial set to begin

12 December 2025

newy.com.au – Port Stephens Council on Tuesday unanimously endorsed the development of a Roads Futures Strategy to strengthen long term planning and deliver more resilient and sustainable local roads.

The strategy will outline the council’s long term vision to support population growth, improve safety and strengthen sustainability across its local road network. Port Stephens Council manages about 800 km of roads and says a growing backlog of work has been driven by years of limited funding, rising construction costs and repeated damage from severe weather.

Mayor Leah Anderson said roads had been a key priority and the decision meant they would remain one. “Our community has been clear in calling for better long-term planning on our roads, and that’s exactly what this strategy will deliver,” Anderson said.

Anderson said the council was investing a record amount of funding in upgrades and maintenance through its Roads Acceleration Program, but added it knew “funding alone isn’t enough”. “Our community deserves a reliable road network and we’re doing everything we can to make that happen. Better roads mean a stronger and safer Port Stephens for everyone,” she said.

Councillor Ben Niland, who put forward the motion, said the Roads Futures Strategy would bring a renewed focus on quality, consistency and accountability across rehabilitation and resealing. “Council uses a number of methods and funding approaches for the rehabilitation and resealing of roads, now is the time for a comprehensive network-wide review,” Niland said.

Next week the council will start a pothole trial to identify longer lasting repair options, with results feeding into the strategy. Director Facilities and Infrastructure Greg Kable said four different pothole repair products would be tested along high traffic routes of Lemon Tree Passage Road, Salt Ash and Medowie Road and monitored over the next 12 months.

“While the upfront costs may be higher, we’re aiming to find approaches that reduce repeat repairs, ultimately saving money and reducing traffic disruptions,” Kable said. Road users have been warned to expect short delays on the mornings of Monday 15 December 2025 and Tuesday 16 December 2025 and were encouraged to plan ahead.

“This initiative represents our proactive approach to ongoing road maintenance challenges, ensuring residents have safe and reliable roads now and into the future,” Kable said. Results from the trial will feed into the Roads Futures Strategy.