Nelson Bay Road To Receive Massive $275 Million Overhaul

 BY MAXWELL HARVEY

The state government has revealed a $275 million upgrade plan for Nelson Bay Road, aiming to make the route safer and more efficient.

With preliminary works expected to begin next year, the first stage will build a four-lane road in the 2.8 kilometre stretch between Bobs Farm and Salt Ash.

It will support travel to Port Stephens via Richardson Road, which is expected to grow following the completion of the M1 to Raymond Terrace expansion.

The second stage then focuses on duplicating eight kilometres of road from Fern Bay to Williamtown, improving accessibility to Newcastle Airport and the surrounding areas.

Finally, the third stage will deliver additional safety measures across the improved sections of road.

It replaces the former Coalition Government's contentious Bobs Farm-to-Williamtown bypass proposal, which was declared to be unworkable by a Transport NSW review due to engineering and agricultural concerns. 

Roads and Regional Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison said the three-staged plan is a major step forward. 

"What we're giving the community now is a realistic, achievable plan to ensure that this road can be duplicated in a way that provides the safety upgrades that we need, but also improves connectivity, reduces congestion and looks at the sensitive agricultural and other lands around this area," she said.

Nelson Bay Road has a notorious reputation for crashes, with Transport for NSW statistics recording 115 incidents between 2020 and 2024.

Two fatalities have been recorded on the road this year, however the corridor between Anna Bay and Salamander Bay where both crashes occurred is not within the project's scope.

The timeline for the project remains uncertain, with the new plan yet to be submitted for federal government review.

Jenny Aitchison said it aims to right the wrongs of the prior Liberal-Nationals Government, and deliver improvements which serve the community.

"We had a lost decade in Newcastle and the Hunter, where plans were put on ice for over 10 years, not progressed, because they wouldn't engage with local representatives who were democratically elected by their communities," she said.

Roads and Regional Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison discussing plans with Port Stephens MP Kate Washington and Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp. Picture: Ian Crouch

BREAKING! Car Fire Closes Southbound Lanes Of Nelson Bay Road At Williamtown

 BY IAN CROUCH

Diversions are in place on Nelson Bay Road at Williamtown where a car has burst into flames after crashing into a power pole.

RFS crews were called to the scene just south of Cabbage Tree Road at about 4.30am on Wednesday to find the car well alight and the power pole also on fire.

The force of the crash has split the power pole at the base and Ausgrid has also been alerted.

Crews say the driver of the car was not with the vehicle when they arrived.

Police are also at the scene.

 

The car fire has closed the southbound lanes of Nelson Bay Road. Picture: Williamtown/Salt Ash RFS

 

Two Teens Injured In Crash At Salt Ash

 BY IAN CROUCH

Investigations continue into a crash at Salt Ash which left two teenagers injured.

Around 5.30pm on Monday, a Holden Commodore travelling south on Nelson Bay Road crossed the median strip before crashing into an embankment and trees.

A 17-year-old boy who was driving the car suffered minor injuries and his 19-year-old male passenger sustained leg injuries.

They were both taken to the John Hunter Hospital for treatment.

Anyone with dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

BREAKING! Emergency Services Called To Head-On Crash at Williamtown

 BY IAN CROUCH

Emergency services have been called to a head-on crash at Williamtown.

A car and a truck collided on Nelson Bay Road near the Murrook Cultural Centre just after 4.00am on Monday.

Early reports say there is a lot of debris and fluids on the road and one person is being treated at the scene by ambulance paramedics.

The eastbound lane of Nelson Bay Road is closed and police are directing traffic into the westbound lane.

Elderly Man Faces Gaol Time Over Serious Crash At Salt Ash

 BY IAN CROUCH

An elderly man is facing possible gaol time over a crash at Salt Ash earlier this month which left six people in hospital.

On April 5, a Subaru sedan and a Honda SUV were involved in a head-on crash on Nelson Bay Road near Marsh Road.

A passenger in the SUV, an 80-year-old woman, was trapped before being released and flown to the John Hunter Hospital with serious leg injuries.

Five other people including a 78-year-old man driving the SUV and a 32-year-old man driving the sedan were also taken to hospital with minor injuries.

The 78-year-old was yesterday charged with dangerous and negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm which carries a maximum gaol term of 7 years.

The man was also charged with two counts of cause bodily harm by misconduct, negligent driving and not keep left of the dividing line.

He's been granted conditional bail to face Raymond Terrace Court on May 23.

BREAKING! Police Called To Armed Robbery At Williamtown Service Station

BY IAN CROUCH

Police have been called to reports of an armed robbery on a service station at Williamtown.

Officers were called to the Metro outlet on Nelson Bay Road near Cabbage Tree Road at 3.45am on Tuesday.

It's believed police are looking at possible links to an armed robbery last Friday morning at the Metro service station at Sandgate.

Police say two men entered the Williamtown business just after 3.30am armed with a baseball bat and a machete and threatened the 32-year-old male console operator before one of them hit the attendant with the baseball bat and removed money from the cash drawer

A 38-year-old male customer then entered the store and was chased by the pair into a corner before the pair ran off. They were last seen heading north towards Nelson Bay Road.

Anyone who who may have CCTV or dashcam footage from the nearby area between 3.00am and 4.00am on Tuesday or who may have seen or heard anything suspicious is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

UPDATE! Man Flees Scene Of Crash After Trying To Steal Car At Salt Ash

BY IAN CROUCH

A man who allegedly tried to steal a car from a Good Samaritan following a crash at Salt Ash on Monday morning has been arrested.

About 8.10am on Tuesday, police stopped a taxi  travelling on Richardson Road at at Raymond Terrace and spoke with a 27-year-old man.

He was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.

He's been charged with nine offences, including negligent driving, two counts of drive whilst disqualified and take and drive conveyance without consent.

The man's been refused bail and is due to face Raymond Terrace Local Court on June 11.

EARLIER

A man is on the run accused of trying to steal a car following a crash at Salt Ash.

Police say the 27-year-old was involved in a two car crash on Nelson Bay Road at about 7.30am on Monday and tried to steal the car of man who'd stopped to help.

However, the Good Samaritan managed to retrieve his keys and the alleged offender ran off into nearby bushland, leaving the two female occupants of his car behind.

He's described as being about 165 centimetres tall with a thin build and black hair.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or who has dashcam footage is urged to call Crime Stoppers.

Man Charged Over Single Car Crash At Bobs Farm

BY IAN CROUCH

A man has been charged with mid range drink driving after crashing his car at Bobs Farm overnight.

Police say the 43-year-old from Toronto was driving a silver Holden Commodore sedan along Nelson Bay Road just after 10.00pm on Thursday when he lost control and crashed into the bush.

He suffered seat belt burns and lacerations but refused treatment at the scene.

The man was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was treated by paramedics.

Police say he returned a blood alcohol reading of point 139 and is due to face Raymond Terrace Court on March 11 charged with mid range PCA.

Premier's $205 Million Dollar Commitment to Nelson Bay Road

BY CATHERINE ALLEN

The NSW Liberal-National Government has pledged to commit a further $205 million for the Nelson Bay Road duplication project if they are re-elected in the upcoming election.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the upgrade is essential for a road that gets over 25,000 motorists each day.

According to the Premier, Roads and Maritime Services have said the project could be started by the end of this year and will take two years to complete.

The $205 million dollar commitment comes in addition to the $70 million dollars allocated to the project in 2015 by then-Premier Mike Baird

"As the Hunter and NSW continue to grow, so does the number of motorists using our roads,"

"Nelson Bay Road is a crucial connection for residents but can become very busy during holiday periods," said Premier Berejiklian.

"That's why we're delivering major road upgrades and improvements to make it easier, faster and safer for people to get around,

"We are planning these improvements to support tourism and local industries as a major economic driver in the Port Stephens area."
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Image: Ian Crouch/2NURFM News

Nelson Bay Road Duplication Delayed by Funding 'Backflip'

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

The state government is accused of back-flipping on an election promise to fund the duplication of Nelson Bay Road.

Former Premier Mike Baird promised $67 million to the project in 2015, but Freedom of Information documents requested by Port Stephens MP Kate Washington have revealed funding won't begin until after the 2020-21 financial year.

Voters will now face another state election before the duplication is complete, and Kate Washington says she can't understand how the Berejiklian Government thinks it could regain local support.

"There is a state budget coming up. They have one last opportunity to do the right thing by our community and bring forward this spend so that the full duplication of Nelson Bay Road, as promised, is delivered." Ms Washington told 2NUR.

Shadow Roads Minister Jodi McKay says Premier Gladys Berijiklian needs to come clean and explain her role in the decision to delay funding.

"Premier Baird stood in Port Stephens and promised a full duplication, then failed to deliver." Minister McKay said, labelling the backflip an 'insult to the people of Port Stephens.'

Jodi McKay and Kate Washington. Picture: Marina Neil, theherald.com