Speers Point transport network

Transport for NSW (Transport) has developed a range of solutions that would improve network efficiency, reduce congestion and increase safety at and near the Speers Point roundabout.

Improving the performance of the roundabout at Five Islands Road, T C Frith Avenue and The Esplanade is the main focus of the proposal. To help support a shift to more sustainable modes of transport, the proposal also includes improvements to walking and cycling connections.

Transport is now proposing to meter the roundabout (install traffic lights at the roundabout to better balance the traffic flows entering the roundabout at peak times), in addition to making traffic lane changes on T C Frith Avenue and Five Islands Road, installing right turn bays at Second and Fourth streets, and signalising the T C Frith Avenue and Seventh Street intersection, among other improvements.

Traffic data collected in May 2024 shows these treatments, along with other intersection treatments approaching and near the roundabout would significantly improve travel times in the area.

We are now inviting the community and stakeholders to provide comment on the concept design for the upgrade.

To have your say: 

• Fill in our survey:www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/speers-point
• Email the team: SpeersPoint@transport.nsw.gov.au
• Mail: 
  Speers Point transport improvements Project Team
  Transport for NSW
  Locked Bay 30 
  Newcastle NSW 2300

Feedback closes 11:59pm Monday 28 July.

For more information, please view the project update (PDF, 2.72 MB).

We have published the consultation summary report following an invitation to the community to provide feedback on the proposed safety and efficiency improvements in the project area between 30 May and 23 June 2024. 

The report summarises key matters raised and provides our responses to these items. This feedback will be considered to help refine the design for the project to deliver the outcomes that the community are seeking.

View the consultation summary report (PDF, 1.38 MB).

Transport would like to thank the community for their continued interest in the project.

The NSW Government is investing $16 million towards upgrades to the Speers Point transport network to reduce travel times, improve safety, cut congestion and provide smoother journeys for all road users.

The Speers Point roundabout, which is the intersection of Five Islands Road, T C Frith Avenue and The Esplanade, is a local bottleneck where motorists experience congestion and slow travel times during peak periods.

There is also predicted growth of around 12,000 residents and 6,000 jobs in the North West Lake Macquarie area over the next 20 years, which will put more pressure on the local transport network.

In 2024, we sought feedback on potential safety and efficiency improvements.

We have listened to feedback while developing the concept design to improve traffic flow, road safety and active transport connections.

Improving the performance of the roundabout at Five Islands Road, T C Frith Avenue and The Esplanade is the main focus of the proposal. To help support a shift to more sustainable modes of transport, the proposal also includes improvements to walking and cycling connections.

Key features of the proposal include:

• changes to traffic movements on Five Islands Road, including a northbound slip through lane and dedicated right turn lane, separated by a concrete median at the roundabout
• increase capacity of T C Frith Avenue on the approach to the roundabout and provide two lanes in each direction between the roundabout and north of Seventh Street
• install pedestrian refuge on T C Frith Avenue at Third Street
• installation of right hand turn lanes on T C Frith Avenue to convert Second and Fourth streets to right in, left in, left out only
• upgrade the T C Frith Avenue and Seventh Street intersection to a signalised intersection and ban right turns at this intersection to improve pedestrian safety and local access. Motorists will be able to use The Esplanade or Second or Fourth streets to turn right instead
• restrict movements into and out of Creek Reserve Road
• shared path from Creek Reserve Road to northbound carriageway of T C Frith Avenue at Seventh Street intersection
• existing 70km/h speed limit on Five Islands Road and T C Frith Avenue to be reduced to 60km/h from 200 metres south of The Esplanade to 300 metres south of Munibung Road.

Based on feedback received in the early consultation, refinements have been made to the proposed design, including:

• meter the roundabout (installing traffic lights at the roundabout to better balance the traffic flows entering the roundabout at peak times)
• extend the proposed dedicated left turn on T C Frith Avenue into The Esplanade to increase capacity
• change the alignment of the proposed shared path between Seventh Street and Creek Reserve Road for safer cyclist and pedestrian connections
• additional safety barriers.

The project would:

• improve traffic flow at the Speers Point roundabout during peak travel periods
• improve safety for all users – motorists, cyclists and pedestrians
• improve cycling and pedestrian connections, especially across T C Frith Avenue and around public spaces
• support growth in the area. 

Transport has carried out extensive investigations including new traffic data collection in May 2024. This included measuring traffic volumes, queue lengths and travel times through the area to calibrate our model and to test potential improvements.

As at May 2024, the average daily traffic was as follows:

• The Esplanade between T C Frith Avenue and Park Road is 26,000 vehicles
• Five Islands Road south of The Esplanade is 40,000 vehicles
• T C Frith Avenue between Munibung Road and Seventh Street is 22,000 vehicles.

A micro-simulation traffic model was used to assess potential options to reduce congestion at the Speers Point roundabout within the allocated $16 million funding.

The 2024 traffic modelling showed that the Speers Point roundabout was heavily congested during peak periods which reflects the current situation being faced by motorists daily. These conditions are expected to worsen over time as traffic grows.

The modelling also showed that with the treatments proposed by Transport, travel times along Five Islands Road and T C Frith Avenue through the project area would be reduced by more than 50 per cent during the morning and afternoon peak periods and 25 per cent during the Saturday peak period based on the 2024 volumes.

The traffic modelling confirms there would be significant improvements to the network performance, especially on T C Frith Avenue and Five Islands Road, by making the proposed changes to the roundabout along with extra treatments at nearby intersections.

After the submission period closes, we will consider all feedback received. We will publish a report that includes responses to key items raised by the community.

You may notice Transport staff and contractors on site over the coming months to identify utilities, geotechnical and environmental restrictions and other investigations to inform the detailed design.

Transport will continue to liaise with the community and key stakeholders, including Lake Macquarie City Council, as the project progresses.

We are also looking at how the current Creek Reserve Road eastbound lane on approach to the roundabout can be utilised for community benefit once access to the roundabout is removed. This may include line marking the area for additional parking.

Improvements will be prioritised in line with available funding.

A Review of Environmental Factors (REF) is being prepared which will assess all potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed upgrade. The REF will also identify appropriate management and mitigation measures to reduce impacts to the environment and community.

Key matters already identified to be considered as part of the REF include flooding, traffic, noise, soil contamination and biodiversity.  

Transport welcomes any feedback you have about managing impacts to the environment and community in the delivery of the project.

Flooding:
The proposal is located within a known flood-prone area influenced by the Cockle Creek catchment.

Transport is actively collaborating with Lake Macquarie City Council and a suitably qualified flood modelling consultant to understand and assess potential impacts of the proposed upgrade.

A key objective of the flooding study is to ensure that the proposed upgrade does not worsen existing flood risks or flooding behaviour and to mitigate adverse impacts on the environment and community.

Soil Contamination:
The proposal is located within an area that has a well-documented history of soil contamination due to the former Pasminco zinc and lead smelter operations in Boolaroo.

Key contaminants of concern include lead and other heavy metals that may be present in the form of black slag and contaminated fill.

Transport is conducting detailed site investigations and risk assessments to identify any areas of potential contamination and to limit the extent of disturbance to these areas through the design development.

Construction strategies will incorporate appropriate containment, handling, and disposal measures in accordance with regulatory standards to mitigate adverse impacts to the environment and community.  

Noise:
Transport has deployed noise loggers and undertaken traffic count surveys to understand existing noise levels in the surrounding catchment.

This will help Transport to identify suitable projected noise levels with an aim to minimise noise disturbance to adjacent businesses and residential properties during construction and operational phases.

Biodiversity: 
To facilitate road widening as part of proposed infrastructure upgrades, some mature vegetation removal is anticipated.  

Transport has engaged a suitably qualified Ecologist to undertake a Biodiversity Assessment which will help Transport to understand and manage biodiversity impacts in line with state and federal statutory requirements.

Where we can, avoiding and minimising impacts to biodiversity will be implemented and any necessary offsets will be undertaken in accordance with Transport’s Biodiversity Policy.

• July 2025 project update (PDF, 2.72 MB)  
  Have your say on the concept design for the Speers Point transport improvements
• May 2024 project update (PDF, 1.09 MB)
  Have your say on Speers Point transport improvements

• Second week of July 2025 (PDF, 550.08 KB)
  Investigation work on T C Frith Avenue between Five Islands Road/The Esplanade and Second streets to be carried out during the day on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 July after rain delays earlier in the month.
• First week of July 2025 (PDF, 558.77 KB)
  Geotechnical investigation work on T C Frith Avenue between Five Islands Road/The Esplanade and Second streets to be carried out during the day on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 July.
• Late June 2025 (PDF, 384.16 KB)
  Underground utilities and drainage investigation work on T C Frith Avenue between Five Islands Road/The Esplanade and Second streets to be carried out at night on Monday 23 June after wet weather delayed the work earlier in the month
• Early June 2025 (PDF, 286.08 KB)
  Underground utilities and drainage investigation work on T C Frith Avenue between Five Islands Road/The Esplanade and Second streets to be carried out at night on Wednesday 4 June.
• April 2025 (PDF, 381.14 KB)
  Road investigation work on T C Frith Avenue between Seventh and Third streets to be carried out at night on Wednesday 16 April.
• August 2024  (PDF, 604.96 KB)
  Utility surveys along TC Frith Avenue, Five Islands Road and the surrounding network to be carried out at night on Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 August.
• April 2024 – Field investigations (PDF, 400.79 KB)
  Road corridor surveys, utility surveys and geotech investigations along T C Frith Avenue, Five Islands Road and the surrounding network to be carried out from Thursday 18 April for up to five weeks to inform work. 

• October 2024 - Consultation summary report (PDF, 1.38 MB)
  Speers Point network improvements – early engagement.

• 4 July 2025 – Speers Point traffic solution open for consultation
• 23 June 2025 – Speers Point transport improvements get Budget boost
• 30 October 2024 – Report available for potential transport improvements at Speers Point
• 30 May 2024 – Speers Point bottleneck election commitment on its way
• 1 September 2023 - $6 million to address Speers Point bottleneck