Independent Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby has called on the Premier to urgently extend surge funding for pothole repairs to metropolitan Sydney, not just regional NSW.
Pittwater is uniquely vulnerable, with no trains, metro or light rail, leaving the community totally reliant on roads. When buses are delayed or cars are damaged, there are no alternatives.
Road damage is widespread across the electorate, with tyres blown, cars damaged and potholes left for weeks. Ms Scruby said she recently spent hours photographing and mapping potholes on state roads.
This month’s record rainfall highlighted the fragility of our road network. Frequent, heavy downpours are the new normal, set to increase with climate change impacts and patchwork repairs are no longer fit for purpose. Roads must be rebuilt to withstand the reality of climate change.
Ms Scruby is calling for:
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Immediate surge funding to tackle Sydney’s pothole crisis.
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Contractor accountability with stricter KPIs and faster repairs.
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Statewide rollout of Asset AI® technology – an artificial intelligence system that uses dash-mounted cameras to automatically detect potholes and other road damage, currently only piloted in a handful of councils and TfNSW vehicles. Or at very least using Waze.
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Greater State and Federal investment in climate-resilient road infrastructure.
Quotes attributable to Jacqui Scruby MP
“In Pittwater we are totally reliant on roads. We have no trains, no metro, no light rail. When buses are delayed or cars are damaged there is no alternative.”
“Just last Friday I stopped to help three people with shredded tyres on a major state road. A week later those same potholes remain. That is unacceptable. Sydney needs surge support now.”
“Why are MPs and locals doing the work of identifying potholes instead of contractors who are paid millions?”
“It’s 2025, we need to use technology in AI to identify potholes before they get out of hand. I’ll be asking questions in Parliament about the status of the trial in Canterbury-Bankstown and Griffith and when it’s going to be rolled out statewide?”
“This month’s unprecedented rainfall shows patch jobs are not enough and the status quo doesn’t work. Our roads need to be better funded, management taken away from councils and must be rebuilt to withstand the reality of climate change.”