Improving the performance of the roundabout at Five Islands Road, T C Frith Avenue and The Esplanade is the main focus of the proposal, including:

• Changes to traffic movements on Five Islands Road, including a northbound slip through lane and dedicated right turn lane, separated by a concrete median at the roundabout
• Increase capacity of T C Frith Avenue to two lanes in each direction between the roundabout and north of Seventh Street
• Install pedestrian refuge on T C Frith Avenue at Third Street
• Installation of right hand turn lanes on T C Frith Avenue to convert Second and Fourth streets to right in, left in and left out only
• Upgrade the T C Frith Avenue and Seventh Street intersection to a signalised intersection and ban right turns at this intersection to improve pedestrian safety and local access. Motorists will be able to use The Esplanade or Second or Fourth streets to turn right instead
• Restrict movements into and out of Creek Reserve Road
• Shared path from Creek Reserve Road to northbound carriageway of T C Frith Avenue at Seventh Street intersection
• Existing 70km/h speed limit on Five Islands Road and T C Frith Avenue to be reduced to 60km/h from 200 metres south of The Esplanade to 300 metres south of Munibung Road

Based on feedback received in the early consultation refinements have been made to the proposed design, including:

• Meter the roundabout (installing traffic lights at the roundabout to better balance the traffic flows entering the roundabout at peak times)
• Extend the proposed dedicated left turn lane on T C Frith Avenue into The Esplanade to increase capacity
• Change the alignment of the proposed shared path between Seventh Street and Creek Reserve Road for safer cyclist and pedestrian connections
• Additional safety barriers.

Transport for NSW has carried out extensive investigations including new traffic data collection in May 2024, which measured traffic volumes, queue lengths and travel times through the area to calibrate our model and test potential improvements.

A micro-simulation traffic model was used to assess potential options to reduce congestion at the Speers Point roundabout within the allocated $16 million funding.

The modelling showed the roundabout was heavily congested during peak periods which reflects the current situation faced by motorists daily.

The modelling also showed that with the treatments proposed by Transport, travel times along Five Islands Road and T C Frith Avenue through the project area would be reduced by more than 50 per cent during the morning and afternoon peak periods and 25 per cent during the Saturday peak period based on the 2024 volumes.

The traffic modelling confirms there would be significant improvements to the network performance by making the proposed changes to the roundabout along with extra treatments at nearby intersections.

A Review of Environmental Factors (REF) is being prepared which will assess all potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed upgrade. The REF will also identify appropriate management and mitigation measures to reduce impacts to the environment and community.

Key matters already identified to be considered as part of the REF include flooding, traffic, noise, soil contamination and biodiversity.

Transport welcomes any feedback you have about managing impacts to the environment and community in the delivery of the project.

Flooding

The proposal is located within a known flood-prone area influenced by the Cockle Creek catchment.

Transport is actively collaborating with Lake Macquarie City Council and a suitably qualified flood modelling consultant to understand and assess potential impacts of the proposed upgrade.

A key objective of the flooding study is to ensure that the proposed upgrade does not worsen existing flood risks or flooding behaviour and to mitigate adverse impacts on the environment and community.

Soil Contamination

The proposal is located within an area that has a well-documented history of soil contamination due to the former Pasminco zinc and lead smelter operations in Boolaroo.

Key contaminants of concern include lead and other heavy metals that may be present in the form of black slag and contaminated fill.

Transport is conducting detailed site investigations and risk assessments to identify any areas of potential contamination and to limit the extent of disturbance to these areas through the design development.

Construction strategies will incorporate appropriate containment, handling, and disposal measures in accordance with regulatory standards to mitigate adverse impacts to the environment and community.

Noise

Transport has deployed noise loggers and undertaken traffic count surveys to understand existing noise levels in the surrounding catchment.

This will help Transport to identify suitable projected noise levels with an aim to minimise noise disturbance to adjacent businesses and residential properties during construction and operational phases.

Biodiversity

To facilitate road widening as part of proposed infrastructure upgrades, some mature vegetation removal is anticipated.

Transport has engaged a suitably qualified Ecologist to undertake a Biodiversity Assessment which will help Transport to understand and manage biodiversity impacts in line with state and federal statutory requirements.

Where we can, avoiding and minimising impacts to biodiversity will be implemented and any necessary offsets will be undertaken in accordance with Transport’s Biodiversity Policy.