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Frustrated drivers across the Hawkesbury say local roads are worse than ever, with deepening potholes stretching from Bilpin to St Albans making even short trips nerve-wracking. After years of floods and relentless wet weather, the damage is widespread — and residents say their patience has run out.
Community advocate Warren Doyle says the issue is more than just an inconvenience.
“These roads are part of our everyday lives, getting kids to school and driving to work,” Mr. Doyle said. “When they’re falling apart, it affects everyone. With living costs rising, families shouldn’t have to keep paying to repair tyres and suspensions.”
Added to the frustration is that no sooner does Council fix the potholes they reappear because of the poor quality of the material used according to Mr Doyle.
“We appreciate the effort, but it’s not keeping pace,” he said. “What we need are long-term solutions, not quick patches that wash away the next time it rains.”
Residents are calling for smarter, more durable materials — such as recycled road base already in use by other councils — and for greater transparency about where ratepayer money is going.
Adding to their frustration is a proposed Special Rate Variation, which would lift rates by 11.73 per cent per year for three years from 2026/27 to 2028/29. The increase would be permanently added to base rates and apply to all property types, including residential, business, and farmland.
Locals say they want more for their money. They want a clear plan for sustainable road maintenance and a commitment to building infrastructure that can withstand Hawkesbury's weather conditions.
“People are tired of Band-Aid fixes,” Doyle said. “We deserve roads that are safe, reliable, and built to last — not ones that disappear with the next downpour.”
