Dobell and Robertson voters in NSW raise potholes often, federal candidates say

Potholes have been a hot topic among voters this federal election, candidates say. (ABC Central Coast: Sofie Wainwright)

Potholes are largely a council and state responsibility, but they have become a key federal election issue on the New South Wales' Central Coast.

Liberal and Labor candidates in the marginal seats of Dobell and Robertson have told the ABC that the state of the roads was one of the most common issues raised with them on the hustings.

After relentless downpours this year, dodging potholes has become a daily mission for motorists in the sprawling commuter region an hour north of Sydney.

"Why has the Central Coast got so many potholes?" Michael O'Malley wondered while pre-polling in Gosford.

Some candidates say tyres damaged on roads is a cost of living issue. (ABC Central Coast: Sofie Wainwright)

The Coalition has budgeted or pledged a total of $427 million to upgrade and fix Central Coast roads, with the Labor party matching that and promising an extra $30m.

The commitments from both sides include $40m for the Central Coast Council to repair roads.

The council is under administration recovering from financial collapse.

A spokesperson said crews were working additional hours to ensure roads were safe, and that since mid-February the council had repaired about 28,000 potholes.

More crucial issues

At pre-polling centres, most voters agreed that the roads needed fixing but did not rate the matter high on their election priority list.

"That's council's issue … the federal government's got bigger stuff to work out, [such as] climate change," Liam Kavanagh from Hamlyn Terrace said.

Tat De Martin, who is voting in the seat of Robertson, says the economy is her top election issue. (ABC Central Coast: Sofie Wainwright)

Tat De Martin said roads were important but was more worried about the economy.

Len Sawyer from Niagara Park said he could live with potholes.

"But corruption? No-one wins then. It's not a democracy anymore then," he said.

"[My main issue is the] NDIS because I have a child with special needs," Kelly Charlton from Tacoma said.

Kelly Charlton, who is voting in the seat of Dobell, says more NDIS funding is needed. (ABC Central Coast: Sofie Wainwright)

'Effective distraction'

University of NSW political scientist Mark Rolfe said politicians liked to talk about hyperlocal issues to prove they were in touch with the community.

He said there has been a "curious" amount of localism during the campaign.

"Local roads can be an effective distraction," Dr Rolfe said.

"Both parties are struggling to come up with effective housing policies to cope with housing affordability."

Since January 2020, the median value of Central Coast dwellings has risen nearly 50 per cent according to housing market analyst CoreLogic.

Rents have increased close to 26 per cent.

$336 million is in the 2022-23 budget for an upgrade to the Pacific Highway at Wyong. (ABC Central Coast: Sofie Wainwright)

Dr Rolfe also said issues can often blur between different levels of government.

The Central Coast's Labor candidates said the cost of living and health care were other popular issues they were hearing.

Liberal candidates said it was jobs and the economy.

Dr Rolfe says leaders from the two major parties were relying on highly localised issues. (ABC Central Coast: Sofie Wainwright)

A risk to lives

Some residents who prioritised roads said the promised funding won't go far.

A section of the arterial Wisemans Ferry Road on the Hawkesbury River reopened to the public on Wednesday after being closed since the latest floods.

Some sections have become one lane where temporary barriers surround embankment failures and landslips.

"We're looking at … the possibility of someone dying," Jane McCallum, manager of a general store near that stretch of road, said.

"It's my number one priority and it all relates back to climate change."

Spencer residents Jane and Robyn inspect one of six failed embankments on Wisemans Ferry Road. (ABC Central Coast: Sofie Wainwright)

Peninsula Chamber of Commerce president Matthew Wales said he was not satisfied with most of the "bandaid solution" road promises.

"This is not going to fix the fundamental problem," he said.