Kiama Municipal Council wishes to extend its condolences to the family and friends of the man who died in the truck crash at Jamberoo Mountain Road on Wednesday night.
Mayor Cameron McDonald said Council's thoughts are also with the two other men in the vehicle who were injured in the incident.
Council would also like to pay tribute to the paramedics who attended the crash site as well as the Fire and Rescue, police and SES volunteers for their quick response and typically selfless efforts.
Representatives from Kiama Council have been lobbying the State Government in recent years for Jamberoo Mountain Road to be reclassified from a local road under Council's management to a Regional Road so that it can be maintained and enhanced by Transport for NSW.
At all times, heavy vehicles over 12 tonnes and 10 metres in length are not permitted to travel on Jamberoo Mountain Road as it is unsafe for larger vehicles such as buses, trucks and caravans.
Signage is visible at both ends of this east-west link, warning the drivers of heavy vehicles.
"There have been a string of accidents on Jamberoo Mountain Road over the years and we've seen this sort of thing happen too many times" Mayor McDonald said.
"There are clear signs in place before you enter Jamberoo Mountain Road that it is not to be used by heavy vehicles but unfortunately too many people risk their lives on this fragile and winding local road.
"I'm urging anyone out there who is thinking about driving on this road in a heavy vehicle to consider the possible consequences. There are alternative options which may take a little longer to get you where you need to be but please obey the signs and stay safe."
There was another serious crash at Jamberoo Mountain Road less than a month ago when a removalist truck went down an embankment and hit a tree. The driver survived but was seriously injured.
Mayor McDonald added that Council was in the final stages of completing roadworks at Jamberoo Mountain Road, funded by a Betterment Grant, supported by the Australian and NSW governments.
The works include new concrete drains, kerb and guttering for runoff control, the repair of an embankment due to a landslide, major repairs to asphalt, new guard rails at two hairpins, major pipe and embankment widening, and line marking and new delineators for approximately 6km.
"It's a vital east-west link between the South Coast and the Southern Highlands that helps keep our communities moving each way," he said.
"But with Council budgets and resources we can only bring the road back up to its previous standard when there are accidents or land slips.
"We keep doing patch-up jobs but it's far from the ideal scenario. We don't have the ability to make it a modern thoroughfare, to improve the safety to a level that's expected of our community."
Council has lodged a joint application with Wingecarribee Shire Council for the road to be reclassified by the State Government.
"Our local state MP Katelin McInerney and our federal representative Fiona Phillips have said that they support this reclassification so we need to make it happen as soon as possible so no more lives are lost," Mayor McDonald added.
"I am urging the State Government to please take a serious look at fragile and dangerous roads like this one. Fund them, fix them and take over their management.
"We need commonsense to prevail and for the State Government to step up."
