Southern Highlands MP Peta Seaton has written to the Carr Government in strong support of the residents and Wingecarribee Shire Council’s request to upgrade Wombeyan Caves Road.

Ms Seaton said given that tonnes of road base wash into Sydney catchment every time that there is a heavy downpour, urgent action was needed on the issue.

``In recent months I have made representations to the Carr Government concerning funding to upgrade Wombeyan Caves Road,’’ Ms Seaton said.

``The SCA has identified in it’s own publications that unsealed roads contribute to poor catchment water quality so there is a case to be made that SCA should make some financial contribution to upgrading the road.’’

Ms Seaton said that she understands a similar application by Mulwaree Shire Council on identical issues concerning some of the roads has met with success, so the case for funding for the Southern Highlands was valid.

``Residents have contacted me regularly with reports on accidents that have apparently occurred because of the state of the road, and many of the residents are in a constant state of anxiety about potential road accidents,’’ she said.

``Sydney Catchment Authority returns a $10 million-a-year dividend to the government so it should be able to allocate some to our roads,’’ Ms Seaton said.