Eurobodalla businesses were left reeling from the announcement the Clyde Mountain would be closed from the end of August to undertake major and vital tree removal works, and said there had not been enough consideration of the impact.
Four days after the announcement, Member for Bega Andrew Constance called for the closure to be reviewed, and said it was "too harsh" for the community at this time.
"I've asked Transport for NSW in Wollongong to immediately review this and re-engage with the Eurobodalla Shire Council and business chambers on a compromise solution," he said.
Last Friday, Transport for NSW announced the road would be closed from Monday to Thursday between 8am and 4pm starting Monday, August 30.
The road will stay open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, as well as public holidays and school holidays to make sure high volumes of traffic aren't negatively affected.
Yet South Durras Big 4 Holiday Park owner Ken Buckley said it would still have a major effect on businesses in the shire.
"I don't think we can afford to have it closed one day a week. The businesses in the Eurobodalla are on their knees," he said.
"With lockdowns, we've effectively got closure from the north and closure from the south. Why the hell would they want to go through the process of closing the major highway that's the only thing bringing business to us at the moment?"
Batemans Bay Business Chamber president Mat Hatcher said while he understood the works needed to be undertaken, there should have been consultation on how to lessen the impacts.
"We know the work needs to be done and the last thing we want to see is someone injured on the mountain, because a tree falls on a car," he said.
"We're just trying to get small concessions to help businesses because we know how much it's going to affect them."
Following the announcement the Chamber suggested multiple alternatives to Transport for NSW, one of which included work hours being reduced to happen between 9am and 3pm to allow road users more time travelling up and down the Clyde in daylight hours.
The Chamber also advised businesses would not mind if work needed to extend into December due to the shortened hours.
A Transport for NSW spokesperson told The Bay Post it was "continuing to review the planned Kings Highway closures at Clyde Mountain in close consultation with key stakeholders".
"We understand the impacts extended closures would have on local communities and businesses that have already gone through many hardships, and we're looking at ways we can minimise disruption while carrying out this critical safety work," the spokesperson said.
Mr Hatcher said the community reaction was caused by Transport for NSW not consulting with businesses before the announcement.
"A constant lack of communication is making people angry," he said.
"We should have been told this four weeks ago or should have had a consultation three months ago about it, because it's not a decision that just happens overnight.
"They didn't realize it was going to be a problem for the community because they're not thinking about small business."
