A heated debate about the future of Minmi Road took an unexpected turn when Newcastle councillors engaged in a public spat over what one politician labelled "false claims" about proposed speed limit changes.
Council Meeting Erupts in Accusations
The controversy ignited during Tuesday night's council meeting when Greens Councillor Joel Pringle directly accused Liberal Councillor Callum Pull of repeatedly spreading misinformation online. The dispute centred on claims that council had voted to implement a 40km/h speed zone along the important transport corridor.
"What we've seen is a Liberal councillor running cover for a bad Liberal ministerial decision, trying to pass the blame onto everybody else," Cr Pringle stated during the tense exchange. He emphasised that the council lacks authority to change speed limits on Minmi Road, regardless of what had been discussed in chambers or circulated on social media.
Historical Planning Decisions Resurface
The roots of the current conflict trace back to a 2013 concept plan delivered by then-Liberal Minister for Planning Brad Hazzard, which outlined a mixed-use commercial strip fronting Minmi Road. Cr Pringle argued the current council remains bound to this framework established by the former state government.
Despite councillors giving in-principle approval for traffic calming measures including a 40km/h zone, traffic lights and speed humps, the final decision rests with Transport for NSW. The state transport authority will ultimately determine whether to approve both the new speed limit and a proposed four-way T-intersection.
Community Backlash and Petition
The council's initial approval in October has sparked significant community concern, with more than 800 residents signing a petition demanding the decision be reviewed and reversed. Opponents argue the proposed changes are both "impractical" and pose "significant risks" to the community.
Cr Pull defended his position during the meeting, stating he "wasn't going to bring it up again" until Cr Pringle "opened the door". The Liberal councillor maintained that criticising the approved changes wasn't misinformation, saying "it's important that councillors take responsibility for the way they vote and the decisions that they make in this place".
Minmi Road's Growing Importance
Minmi Road serves as a crucial east-west corridor connecting Wallsend, Maryland, Fletcher, Minmi and surrounding suburbs. Current traffic volumes range between 9,000 to 22,000 vehicles daily, including school buses, public transport and heavy vehicles.
Projections indicate traffic along eastern sections could surge to 30,000 vehicles per day by 2036, highlighting the road's increasing significance for the growing region. The infrastructure demands have prompted council to seek state road classification, which would transfer funding and maintenance responsibilities to Transport for NSW.
Labor Councillor Elizabeth Adamczyk supported the reclassification push, noting that "here, there is an opportunity for the state government to meet that reclassification request, to support what we know are the increasing pressures and further increasing infrastructure pressures that this creates for our community every day".
The development conditions for Stage 4 of Winten Property Group's housing estate require construction of the four-way T-intersection specifically designed to 'protect the safety of pedestrians and cyclists'. Meanwhile, Newcastle Council continues with current upgrade works, including widening the road to two lanes in each direction east of the Summerhill Road roundabout.
Council will now make a joint application with Lake Macquarie City Council to have Minmi Road classified as a state road, while CEO Jeremy Bath has been tasked with responding to the community petition opposing the traffic changes.
