Transport and Road Infrastructure

Council is responsible for the provision of new road infrastructure including the sealing of roads, the installation of kerb and guttering, footpaths, shared pathways, traffic facilities and infrastructure for bus services.

Each financial year, Council develops and implements maintenance plans to ensure that our city roads, drains, kerbs, and guttering are maintained.

Speed Concerns

The Roads and Traffic Authority set our speed limits.  However, where excessive speeding is an issue on our roads, Council’s Lake Macquarie Traffic and Road Safety Committee investigate preventative measures, and make recommendations to the elected Council who make a final decision.

Examples of preventative measures include the installation of roundabouts, altering lane patterns, provision of speed humps, road narrowing, and installing median strips.

Residents and business owners may also request for Council to deploy the Speed Alert Mobile (SAM).  SAM shows drivers how fast they are going and shows a message “SLOW DOWN – TOO FAST” if they exceed the speed limit.

Pedestrian Safety

Residents may submit in writing their concerns about pedestrian safety. Council will refer the matter to the Lake Macquarie Traffic and Road Safety Committee for consideration.

You can submit your concerns online or by posting a letter to Council.

Any safety issues on State Government roads need to be referred to the Roads and Traffic Authority. View a list of State Government roads in Lake Macquarie.

Road Safety Initiatives

Lake Macquarie City Council, in collaboration with the NSW Police and RTA, develops and implements road safety initiatives to help reduce the road toll and encourage safe driving.

Go to the Road Safety section of this website to find out more.

Parking

Council rangers patrol our city roads for illegal parking. A person who parks illegally will receive a fine.

It is illegal to park:

  • where there are No Parking or No Stopping signs;
  • after a time limitation has expired or if it is outside the time restrictions of a ‘clearway’;
  • on public reserves;
  • across driveways; and
  • where authorised signage indicates any other parking restriction.

The parking of heavy vehicles (vehicles that have a gross vehicle mass of over 4.5 tonnes or exceed 7.5m in overall length), are not permitted to park in any residential street for any period over one hour.

Public Transport

Lake Macquarie City Council area is serviced by a number of public transport operations, including Newcastle Bus and Ferry Services servicing the east side of the lake, rail servicing the west side of the lake, private bus companies servicing the west side of the lake and the north west section of the Council area. In addition, most areas are covered by a taxi service and inter-city bus coaches stop at the major centres on the east side of the lake.

Kerb & Guttering

Council works to an annual plan for the maintenance of kerb and guttering in our city. 

As well as maintaining existing kerb and guttering, Council works to a works plan for the construction of kerb and guttering along roads where it does not already exist.

You can find out when a particular street will undergo kerb and guttering maintenance or construction by calling Council's Customer Service Centre on 4921 0333. You can report damage by using our online form.

Road and Drainage Damage

Council works to a regular roads and drainage maintenance program, however you may lodge a report of damage to roads and drainage systems online or by calling Council’s Customer Service Centre on 4921 0333.

Gravel Roads

 Smoothing (Grading) Gravel Roads

Due to wear and tear from traffic and rain, gravel roads need regular maintenance to smooth and secure the surface. This process is called grading.

Council works to a regular program and grades each road either one, two, or four times per year, depending on how busy the road is. 

If Council receives a report about extensive damage to a gravel road, Council may grade the road earlier than the scheduled program.

You can report damage to a gravel road online or by calling Council’s Customer Service Centre on 4921 0333. 

Sealing Gravel Roads

Council has put in place a works plan for sealing gravel roads in Lake Macquarie.

You can email Council to find out if a particular road is included in the plan for sealing.