Residents demand action on 'death trap' after flood tragedy

The Advertiser

3 days ago

RESIDENTS had repeatedly contacted authorities to raise concerns about the condition of a Hunter Valley road, including the week before a woman died after being swept off a flooded causeway earlier this month.
Sue McColl, owner of the White Barn Wedding Function Centre on Old North Road, said concerns about the causeway and road condition had been bubbling away for decades, long before she moved to the area in 2018.
She said she had contacted Cessnock City Council to request Old North Road be upgraded as recently as the week before two cars were swept off the Black Creek causeway at Rothbury during a sudden deluge on Saturday, August 2.
One driver was rescued clinging to a tree, while the second driver made it to the bank with her dog. The passenger in her car was swept away and a body, believed to be the missing woman, was found after an extensive three-day search.
"This incident has deeply shaken the local community, but it is, sadly, not an isolated concern," Ms McColl said.
"Residents, businesses, and stakeholders have been calling for safety upgrades to this road for years, including the construction of a bridge, widening, proper sealing, and lighting.
"Despite multiple warnings and requests over the years, meaningful action has not been taken."
Ms McColl said the creek was difficult to see in the darkness with just car headlights on and the wipers "flat out".
"With the torrential rain, the flow down there is horrific ... the flow would have been like a small tsunami coming through there," she said.
Ms McColl said she, along with a number of other residents and business owners, had again contacted Cessnock City Council to push for change after the recent tragedy. She said she had requested a community meeting and had reached out to the state government.
"It just goes on, and on, and on, and now it's at the point where it's now or never. If you're not fixing it now, you never are," she said.
The two women who were travelling in the Mini Countryman that was swept away just before 8pm were Chinese nationals, aged in their 20s, who had been working in Sydney and were visiting wine country.
Ms McColl said making Old North Road and the Black Creek causeway safer was critical for tourism. She said it was not just a rural dirt road, it was a route used by mine workers, residents and visitors.
"As one of NSW's premier tourist destinations, the Hunter Valley deserves safe and adequate infrastructure to support both its community and its economy," she said.
While a report will be prepared for the coroner regarding the death of the 26-year-old woman in the floodwaters at Black Creek, Ms McColl said the incident had upset her and the wider community.
A group of dozens of "irate" residents turned out to support the push for change yesterday.
Sweetwater Road resident Gianna Veglia said Old North Road and the causeway had been an issue since she moved to the area 25 years ago. "It's a death trap now, as it was then," she said.
Ms Veglia said her property was in a quiet part of the world back when she bought it, but it was now surrounded by accommodation and wedding venues.
She said five metres of water gushing over the Black Creek causeway could look deceptively shallow.
In a statement yesterday, a Cessnock City Council spokesperson said the events on the weekend of August 2 had been difficult for the community and beyond.
The spokesperson said the flood event at that time was a challenging situation as conditions deteriorated rapidly and water levels rose significantly in a short period across the Cessnock local government area (LGA).
"Six roads across the LGA had to be closed on Saturday evening due to rising flood waters and flash flooding with crews attending to multiple incidents simultaneously. This number rose to almost twenty roads over the duration of the event," the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said council, on behalf of the community, offered its deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the woman who was swept away by floodwaters.
"Council also want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of emergency services in responding to and managing the various incidents which occurred throughout the entire event," they said.
Cessnock council installed flashing lights, road closure chains and advanced warning signage at Black Creek in July last year. It is marked with flood depth indicators and 'road subject to flooding' signage.
The Herald understands council workers inspected the Black Creek causeway on August 2 at 4.30pm and confirmed there was significant clearance and no immediate threat to the road. Conditions deteriorated rapidly and on-call teams were responding to numerous requests from emergency services and the public. Council workers later returned to activate the road closure infrastructure.
Cessnock council is undertaking an LGA-wide flood study that will be used to improve resilience and response to natural disasters.
Old North Road lies in both Cessnock and Singleton council areas.
Emergency services and councils have consistently urged drivers to never enter floodwaters.
RESIDENTS had repeatedly contacted authorities to raise concerns about the condition of a Hunter Valley road, including the week before a woman died after being swept off a flooded causeway earlier this month.
Sue McColl, owner of the White Barn Wedding Function Centre on Old North Road, said concerns about the causeway and road condition had been bubbling away for decades, long before she moved to the area in 2018.
She said she had contacted Cessnock City Council to request Old North Road be upgraded as recently as the week before two cars were swept off the Black Creek causeway at Rothbury during a sudden deluge on Saturday, August 2.
One driver was rescued clinging to a tree, while the second driver made it to the bank with her dog. The passenger in her car was swept away and a body, believed to be the missing woman, was found after an extensive three-day search.
"This incident has deeply shaken the local community, but it is, sadly, not an isolated concern," Ms McColl said.
"Residents, businesses, and stakeholders have been calling for safety upgrades to this road for years, including the construction of a bridge, widening, proper sealing, and lighting.
"Despite multiple warnings and requests over the years, meaningful action has not been taken."
Ms McColl said the creek was difficult to see in the darkness with just car headlights on and the wipers "flat out".
"With the torrential rain, the flow down there is horrific ... the flow would have been like a small tsunami coming through there," she said.
Ms McColl said she, along with a number of other residents and business owners, had again contacted Cessnock City Council to push for change after the recent tragedy. She said she had requested a community meeting and had reached out to the state government.
"It just goes on, and on, and on, and now it's at the point where it's now or never. If you're not fixing it now, you never are," she said.
The two women who were travelling in the Mini Countryman that was swept away just before 8pm were Chinese nationals, aged in their 20s, who had been working in Sydney and were visiting wine country.
Ms McColl said making Old North Road and the Black Creek causeway safer was critical for tourism. She said it was not just a rural dirt road, it was a route used by mine workers, residents and visitors.
"As one of NSW's premier tourist destinations, the Hunter Valley deserves safe and adequate infrastructure to support both its community and its economy," she said.
While a report will be prepared for the coroner regarding the death of the 26-year-old woman in the floodwaters at Black Creek, Ms McColl said the incident had upset her and the wider community.
A group of dozens of "irate" residents turned out to support the push for change yesterday.
Sweetwater Road resident Gianna Veglia said Old North Road and the causeway had been an issue since she moved to the area 25 years ago. "It's a death trap now, as it was then," she said.
Ms Veglia said her property was in a quiet part of the world back when she bought it, but it was now surrounded by accommodation and wedding venues.
She said five metres of water gushing over the Black Creek causeway could look deceptively shallow.
In a statement yesterday, a Cessnock City Council spokesperson said the events on the weekend of August 2 had been difficult for the community and beyond.
The spokesperson said the flood event at that time was a challenging situation as conditions deteriorated rapidly and water levels rose significantly in a short period across the Cessnock local government area (LGA).
"Six roads across the LGA had to be closed on Saturday evening due to rising flood waters and flash flooding with crews attending to multiple incidents simultaneously. This number rose to almost twenty roads over the duration of the event," the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said council, on behalf of the community, offered its deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the woman who was swept away by floodwaters.
"Council also want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of emergency services in responding to and managing the various incidents which occurred throughout the entire event," they said.
Cessnock council installed flashing lights, road closure chains and advanced warning signage at Black Creek in July last year. It is marked with flood depth indicators and 'road subject to flooding' signage.
The Herald understands council workers inspected the Black Creek causeway on August 2 at 4.30pm and confirmed there was significant clearance and no immediate threat to the road. Conditions deteriorated rapidly and on-call teams were responding to numerous requests from emergency services and the public. Council workers later returned to activate the road closure infrastructure.
Cessnock council is undertaking an LGA-wide flood study that will be used to improve resilience and response to natural disasters.
Old North Road lies in both Cessnock and Singleton council areas.
Emergency services and councils have consistently urged drivers to never enter floodwaters.
RESIDENTS had repeatedly contacted authorities to raise concerns about the condition of a Hunter Valley road, including the week before a woman died after being swept off a flooded causeway earlier this month.
Sue McColl, owner of the White Barn Wedding Function Centre on Old North Road, said concerns about the causeway and road condition had been bubbling away for decades, long before she moved to the area in 2018.
She said she had contacted Cessnock City Council to request Old North Road be upgraded as recently as the week before two cars were swept off the Black Creek causeway at Rothbury during a sudden deluge on Saturday, August 2.
One driver was rescued clinging to a tree, while the second driver made it to the bank with her dog. The passenger in her car was swept away and a body, believed to be the missing woman, was found after an extensive three-day search.
"This incident has deeply shaken the local community, but it is, sadly, not an isolated concern," Ms McColl said.
"Residents, businesses, and stakeholders have been calling for safety upgrades to this road for years, including the construction of a bridge, widening, proper sealing, and lighting.
"Despite multiple warnings and requests over the years, meaningful action has not been taken."
Ms McColl said the creek was difficult to see in the darkness with just car headlights on and the wipers "flat out".
"With the torrential rain, the flow down there is horrific ... the flow would have been like a small tsunami coming through there," she said.
Ms McColl said she, along with a number of other residents and business owners, had again contacted Cessnock City Council to push for change after the recent tragedy. She said she had requested a community meeting and had reached out to the state government.
"It just goes on, and on, and on, and now it's at the point where it's now or never. If you're not fixing it now, you never are," she said.
The two women who were travelling in the Mini Countryman that was swept away just before 8pm were Chinese nationals, aged in their 20s, who had been working in Sydney and were visiting wine country.
Ms McColl said making Old North Road and the Black Creek causeway safer was critical for tourism. She said it was not just a rural dirt road, it was a route used by mine workers, residents and visitors.
"As one of NSW's premier tourist destinations, the Hunter Valley deserves safe and adequate infrastructure to support both its community and its economy," she said.
While a report will be prepared for the coroner regarding the death of the 26-year-old woman in the floodwaters at Black Creek, Ms McColl said the incident had upset her and the wider community.
A group of dozens of "irate" residents turned out to support the push for change yesterday.
Sweetwater Road resident Gianna Veglia said Old North Road and the causeway had been an issue since she moved to the area 25 years ago. "It's a death trap now, as it was then," she said.
Ms Veglia said her property was in a quiet part of the world back when she bought it, but it was now surrounded by accommodation and wedding venues.
She said five metres of water gushing over the Black Creek causeway could look deceptively shallow.
In a statement yesterday, a Cessnock City Council spokesperson said the events on the weekend of August 2 had been difficult for the community and beyond.
The spokesperson said the flood event at that time was a challenging situation as conditions deteriorated rapidly and water levels rose significantly in a short period across the Cessnock local government area (LGA).
"Six roads across the LGA had to be closed on Saturday evening due to rising flood waters and flash flooding with crews attending to multiple incidents simultaneously. This number rose to almost twenty roads over the duration of the event," the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said council, on behalf of the community, offered its deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the woman who was swept away by floodwaters.
"Council also want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of emergency services in responding to and managing the various incidents which occurred throughout the entire event," they said.
Cessnock council installed flashing lights, road closure chains and advanced warning signage at Black Creek in July last year. It is marked with flood depth indicators and 'road subject to flooding' signage.
The Herald understands council workers inspected the Black Creek causeway on August 2 at 4.30pm and confirmed there was significant clearance and no immediate threat to the road. Conditions deteriorated rapidly and on-call teams were responding to numerous requests from emergency services and the public. Council workers later returned to activate the road closure infrastructure.
Cessnock council is undertaking an LGA-wide flood study that will be used to improve resilience and response to natural disasters.
Old North Road lies in both Cessnock and Singleton council areas.
Emergency services and councils have consistently urged drivers to never enter floodwaters.
RESIDENTS had repeatedly contacted authorities to raise concerns about the condition of a Hunter Valley road, including the week before a woman died after being swept off a flooded causeway earlier this month.
Sue McColl, owner of the White Barn Wedding Function Centre on Old North Road, said concerns about the causeway and road condition had been bubbling away for decades, long before she moved to the area in 2018.
She said she had contacted Cessnock City Council to request Old North Road be upgraded as recently as the week before two cars were swept off the Black Creek causeway at Rothbury during a sudden deluge on Saturday, August 2.
One driver was rescued clinging to a tree, while the second driver made it to the bank with her dog. The passenger in her car was swept away and a body, believed to be the missing woman, was found after an extensive three-day search.
"This incident has deeply shaken the local community, but it is, sadly, not an isolated concern," Ms McColl said.
"Residents, businesses, and stakeholders have been calling for safety upgrades to this road for years, including the construction of a bridge, widening, proper sealing, and lighting.
"Despite multiple warnings and requests over the years, meaningful action has not been taken."
Ms McColl said the creek was difficult to see in the darkness with just car headlights on and the wipers "flat out".
"With the torrential rain, the flow down there is horrific ... the flow would have been like a small tsunami coming through there," she said.
Ms McColl said she, along with a number of other residents and business owners, had again contacted Cessnock City Council to push for change after the recent tragedy. She said she had requested a community meeting and had reached out to the state government.
"It just goes on, and on, and on, and now it's at the point where it's now or never. If you're not fixing it now, you never are," she said.
The two women who were travelling in the Mini Countryman that was swept away just before 8pm were Chinese nationals, aged in their 20s, who had been working in Sydney and were visiting wine country.
Ms McColl said making Old North Road and the Black Creek causeway safer was critical for tourism. She said it was not just a rural dirt road, it was a route used by mine workers, residents and visitors.
"As one of NSW's premier tourist destinations, the Hunter Valley deserves safe and adequate infrastructure to support both its community and its economy," she said.
While a report will be prepared for the coroner regarding the death of the 26-year-old woman in the floodwaters at Black Creek, Ms McColl said the incident had upset her and the wider community.
A group of dozens of "irate" residents turned out to support the push for change yesterday.
Sweetwater Road resident Gianna Veglia said Old North Road and the causeway had been an issue since she moved to the area 25 years ago. "It's a death trap now, as it was then," she said.
Ms Veglia said her property was in a quiet part of the world back when she bought it, but it was now surrounded by accommodation and wedding venues.
She said five metres of water gushing over the Black Creek causeway could look deceptively shallow.
In a statement yesterday, a Cessnock City Council spokesperson said the events on the weekend of August 2 had been difficult for the community and beyond.
The spokesperson said the flood event at that time was a challenging situation as conditions deteriorated rapidly and water levels rose significantly in a short period across the Cessnock local government area (LGA).
"Six roads across the LGA had to be closed on Saturday evening due to rising flood waters and flash flooding with crews attending to multiple incidents simultaneously. This number rose to almost twenty roads over the duration of the event," the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said council, on behalf of the community, offered its deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the woman who was swept away by floodwaters.
"Council also want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of emergency services in responding to and managing the various incidents which occurred throughout the entire event," they said.
Cessnock council installed flashing lights, road closure chains and advanced warning signage at Black Creek in July last year. It is marked with flood depth indicators and 'road subject to flooding' signage.
The Herald understands council workers inspected the Black Creek causeway on August 2 at 4.30pm and confirmed there was significant clearance and no immediate threat to the road. Conditions deteriorated rapidly and on-call teams were responding to numerous requests from emergency services and the public. Council workers later returned to activate the road closure infrastructure.
Cessnock council is undertaking an LGA-wide flood study that will be used to improve resilience and response to natural disasters.
Old North Road lies in both Cessnock and Singleton council areas.
Emergency services and councils have consistently urged drivers to never enter floodwaters.