MEDOWIE residents can expect changes to one of the suburb’s busiest intersections after funding was announced for upgrades to Ferodale Road and Peppertree Road.
The announcement was made on Friday by Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington, after Port Stephens Council secured $1million through the NSW State Government’s Faster Assessment Incentive Program to help fund the project.
Ms Washington said the intersection had remained largely unchanged during the past two decades despite Medowie’s significant growth.
“When I moved to Medowie 20 years ago, the intersection looked exactly like it did today,” Ms Washington said.
“Since then, we’ve had Woolworths and a huge number of shops open, and this intersection has needed upgrading for a long time.”
Port Stephens Council will contribute a further $500,000 towards the project.
Central Ward Councillor Jason Wells said Council was in the early design stages of the project and would share more information with the community in the coming months.
The announcement has drawn mixed reactions from residents.
Marie Jones, who has lived in Medowie for 36 years, welcomed the upgrade.
“It will be great because it is currently quite difficult to cross the intersection,” Ms Jones said.
Other residents, who asked not to be identified, expressed concerns that traffic lights could create congestion, particularly once the new high school opened.
Olivia Smith told News Of The Area she believed the changes could lead to further delays.
“It’s going to be a nightmare at the new intersection,” Ms Smith said.
Port Stephens Councillor Mark Watson also raised concerns about the timing of the announcement.
“A Labor MP and Labor councillor publicly announced Council’s $500,000 contribution towards the intersection upgrade before Council had even made the decision public,” Cr Watson said.
Further details of the proposed design are expected to be discussed by Port Stephens Council, with more information likely to be shared with the community as planning progresses.
By Althea GUINSBERG
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