Every day, I and my fellow community members in western Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia sit idly for 10 minutes in traffic to reach the Speers Point Round About. The Five Islands Bridge, connects Booragul to Speers Point. The Speers Point Round About is the major issue, exacerbated by the one way in & out, turn left only exit from Speers Point Park. We can't help but wonder why nothing has been done to upgrade this bottleneck that affects our daily lives. The current bridge, round about and roads interconnecting not only causes inconvenience but also impacts our productivity and quality of life.

It’s ironic to see flashing “Expect Delays” signs for events at Speers Point park when we experience delays EVERY DAY. Council events just compound the issue.

The Australian Infrastructure Audit 2019 highlighted that congestion on urban roads costs Australians $19 billion annually, a figure projected to rise up to $38 billion by 2031 if no action is taken (Infrastructure Australia). Given these alarming statistics, it's clear that infrastructure upgrades like those needed at the Five Islands Bridge are not just about convenience - they're about economic efficiency too.

We urge local authorities and decision-makers to prioritise upgrading the roads to the Five Islands Bridge and Speers Point Round About. This will significantly improve traffic flow, reduce waiting times for commuters like us who rely on these routes daily, and contribute positively towards overall economic productivity.

Please sign this petition today if you believe in improving our community's infrastructure now and for a better tomorrow. Let's make sure we are heard loud and clear!