Laughtondale

Reference: Portions 1, 2, 3, 25, 32, 46, 36, 83

Located on the Hawkesbury River near One Tree Reach between Wisemans Ferry and Lower Hawkesbury, named after Laughton family who obtained several grants in the viscinity.

Reference: http://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/council/noticeboard/media-releases2/2016/laughtondale-gully-road-closure

Laughtondale Gully Road in the north of Hornsby Shire has been closed (2016) due to the risk of it collapsing. “Council has been watching this road closely for a long time and the chances of it failing have become unacceptable,” Hornsby Shire Mayor Steve Russell said. “There is the threat of falling rocks that exists on a number of roads in the Shire, but far worse is the chance the road could entirely collapse without warning." “Such an event would be catastrophic and potentially fatal.”

Independent geotechnical advisers have investigated the road and reported to Council. “They have advised the road is no longer safe and it would be gross negligence for Council to ignore such a warning,” Mayor Russell said. “We regret the inconvenience this will cause local residents, but there is no other option.” The closed road will affect around 60 households in the Laughtondale area, adding up to 15 minutes to their journey. At this stage it is unclear when the road can be repaired and reopened, or if that is even possible.

Reference: http://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/council/noticeboard/latest-news/laughtondale-gully-road-officially-reopened

Laughtondale Gully Road officially reopened

Posted: Tuesday 7 November, 2017

Laughtondale Gully Road

Today Hornsby Shire Mayor Philip Ruddock officially opened Laughtondale Gully Road, following major repairs to make it safe for vehicles once more. “This is great news for local residents, who I know have been inconvenienced by the closure of the road,” Mayor Ruddock said. “The completion of this project is especially significant because for a while we weren’t certain we would ever be able to open the road again. “It was unclear if we could ever make it safe and would therefore have to close it permanently, but Council’s engineers worked extremely hard to find workable solutions.” The main part of the work involved the stabilisation of a number of sections of road that were at risk of collapsing, as well as the sealing of one of the particularly hazardous hairpin bends.

Seven new cross drains were also installed, while the existing cross drains were cleared and new guide posts put in place. “I would like to sincerely thank the local residents for their patience throughout this process,” Mayor Ruddock said. “Safety is always Council’s absolute top priority when managing roads and convenience, unfortunately, must finish a very distant second. “With the opening of this road we now have both safety and convenience once again.” The $300,000 in road works were paid for by Hornsby Shire Council.