Show us the plans: Otford resident's plea to council

Work to replace Otford Causeway has begun. The pedestrian crossing that Council installed after the causeway was destroyed in a February 9 rainstorm is now fenced off.

Long-time Otford resident Jackie Boyce said the temporary crossing could no longer be used by anyone, effectively closing off an evacuation route for residents of the rainforest community.

“There's no access. It's totally blocked off.”

Jackie said the community was frustrated with the lack of communication from council about work on the causeway.

“What we want is for them, the council, to actually provide us with the plans of what they're doing.

“We've not been shown any plans, they’re just doing the work. So they've got these guys ripping this road apart right now and we've not been shown a single plan.”

Contractors started site establishment works at Otford Causeway on behalf of Wollongong City Council on August 3. No cars have been able to travel to Helensburgh via that route since the February 9 downpour destroyed the old causeway.

After the storm, council built a temporary pedestrian crossing on the causeway site – a move the community celebrated with an informal opening party in April when Helensburgh's Gallardo's Pizza staff used it to deliver hot fast food to their customers.

However, contractors have now fenced off the causeway job site and that pedestrian crossing is not officially useable.

A new causeway is scheduled to be completed in the next four months but likely not before the start of the statutory Bush Fire Danger Period, which runs from 1 October to 31 March.

When the Flame recently met Otford residents it was clear they were concerned about access for emergency services, evacuation in the event of a bushfire and the quality of the new causeway.

Compounding the inconvenience of the unusable Otford causeway last week was the fact that Transport for NSW was to close Lady Wakehurst Drive between McKell Avenue and Otford Lookout in both directions between 8am and 3pm, from August 8 to 10, for scheduled essential maintenance.

Work included general maintenance, guardrail repairs, vegetation trimming and clearing gutters and drains to improve safety.

A Transport for NSW spokesperson said: "Transport for NSW is committed to the safety of all road users and its workers.

“Emergency services will be given access if needed while essential maintenance work is being carried out … Transport routinely carries out maintenance at the site every quarter and nearby work is taken into consideration before plans are locked in.

“Transport will continue to work closely with Wollongong City Council on any work in the area and will keep the community updated.”

Read more in Otford locals worried about fire season and find Council's latest release here.