Jamberoo Road unsafe when road subsidences not repaired,

Yesterday's Perigee Moon was "about 30% brighter and 14% bigger than the smallest Apogee Moon which will occur in October". (*Sydney Observatory Facebook Page) I would have to quibble with that note from the Sydney Observatory, because the Moon is not "bigger", simply closer to earth than in its other phases, and hence it simply appears "bigger".

I chanced to see this scene as I was returning from Albion Park to Robertson via Jamberoo. As I crossed over the top of the ridge between those two areas, near the "Jamberoo Action Park" the moon was just rising over the ocean. The peach colour is normal - because the moon (when at a low angle) is being seen through a thick layer of the atmosphere (it is not smoke discolouration).

I had to go via Jamberoo Mountain Road, because Macquarie Pass was closed (see below).

Airlift: The injured rider is taken away by paramedics
after the accident on Macquarie Pass.
Picture: DAVE TEASE (Illawarra Mercury)

While I sympathise with the injured rider, the reality is that Macquarie Pass is often closed (for trees down, or accidents). When it is closed (as it was yesterday), large volumes of traffic use Jamberoo Road.

There are two large subsidence patches along that road, which have been blocked off with simple barriers. The top one is between the Barren Grounds road and The Abbey. The second one is closer to the bottom of the Pass. On the top subsidence, there is a simple barrier and a sign saying "Oncoming traffic has right of way". 

This sign is very quaint, as clearly it is meant to be observed on an "honesty basis".

• There is no automated Red/Green traffic light system.
• There certainly was not a "Stop:Go" flag person.  

With heavy traffic flows, that is quite unsatisfactory. I have never seen as much traffic on that road, as yesterday. 

1. The "Wings over Illawarra" Air Show at Albion Park was on. It was widely advertised, and the RTA (now renamed RMS, but not on its own Traffic Live website) was fully aware of this, and they had road closures and traffic controls in place.
2. The Illawarra Highway was closed - so all the normal traffic flow on Illawarra Highway was being diverted from both ends (Albion Park, and the Robertson Pie Shop).
3. There were large Horse Floats and other "over-size" vehicles using that road yesterday.
4. I have never felt as unsafe on that road in ten years, as I did yesterday.

I understand why people would want to use that road, because at Albion Park, the Traffic Diversion sign recommended that the use the "alternative route via Picton Road" (a detour of 163 Km - instead of the normal route distance of 25 Kms). No wonder people were taking the other short-cut - via Jamberoo and the Jamberoo Mountain Road, and up to Robertson. But the truth is the Jamberoo Mountain Road is not suitable for heavy vehicles (there is an advisory sign at the top end, to that effect). 

I submit that Jamberoo Mountain Road, is in need of urgent structural repair. 

It is certainly not suitable for high traffic flows such as yesterday. And seeing as the special event at Albion Park was well advertised, and the RMS was in control of both sets of road closures (one planned, one an emergency closure) I am amazed that the penny did not drop with someone, to realise that Jamberoo Mountain Road (already damaged) would also need traffic control measures during this period of heavy traffic flows.

I understand that these subsidences have been there for quite some time, which prompts me to ask:  

• When will Kiama Council repair this strategic road? 
• And why was RMS not involved in providing traffic control measures on Jamberoo Mountain Road?

I will ask Gareth Ward MP the Member for Kiama, about these matters. 

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Word of the Day: Syzygy: "A straight line configuration of three celestial bodies"