Hawkesbury Mayor Kim Ford has questioned why The Hills Shire Council has pledged an extra $600,000 to upgrade Boundary Road.
Cr Ford said he was surprised at The Hills’ move to allocate an extra $600,00 from its budget for the upgrade.
At The Hills’ Council meeting on November 24, the eight councillors present voted to allocate the extra money, bringing the total contribution to $1.4 million.
Cr Ford said he was under the impression Boundary Road fell under the North West Growth area project, and thus road repairs were to be paid by developers, not Councils.
“The development should be funding the road structure and infrastructure down, so why would Council spend $600,000 on the road,” he said.
“Boundary Road is the dividing area between The Hills and Hawkesbury but it is also part of the North-West Growth Centre, which is responsible for the roads, services and power and other things.”
The Hills Mayor Michelle Byrne said the road was badly in need of repair, and Hawkesbury was not in a position to pay to fix it.
However, Cr Ford said Boundary Road had been in a similar state for at least six years, and questioned why The Hills were now throwing money at it.
“Why are they suddenly interested in Boundary Road now,” he said.
“The timing is just slanted toward the amalgamation, but Boundary Road has been in the same condition for at least six years, where it gets minimal repair and upkeep.”
Cr Byrne said the money would help to prevent pot holes and cracks in the road.
“Boundary Road is an important road for so many motorists from both The Hills and Hawkesbury and this major upgrade is needed now,” she said.