The Black Creek causeway was closed for 10 days following this month's floods, reopening on Monday.

The downpour from March 18 to 21 resulted in flooding at the causeway and a section further west along Old North Road, locking in the properties between the causeway and Sweetwater Road for several days.

A low-lying part of Sweetwater Road close to the Old North Road junction also flooded, leaving about 80 properties isolated for a few days.

The road - which is unsealed until it reaches the Singleton Shire Council boundary - is a popular shortcut from Wine Country Drive to Hermitage Road, with a detour of up to 18 kilometres when the causeway is closed.

And the locals say it's not just the inconvenience that's a concern, but the danger the flooding poses - especially at night - with many unsuspecting drivers over the years ending up in the creek.

The flooding problem has been ongoing for decades, but locals say the road is busier than ever, following the opening of Coles Huntlee and an increase in tourism.

Garry Schumacher has lived on Old North Road since 1969, and says he has pleaded with the council to fix the drainage that whole time.

He has also asked for speed limit signs to be installed on the road, after a fatal accident many years ago.

The Around Hermitage Association has been campaigning for Old North Road to be upgraded for about 15 years, and committee member Vicci Lashmore-Smith says it's important to maintain the pressure.

READ MORE: Plea to make road a priority

Cessnock City Council applied for grant funding for upgrades on the road about five years ago, but the project had dropped down its priority list due to its low cost-benefit ratio.

However, the issue was put back on council's radar at its December 2020 meeting, when Ward C councillor John Fagg tabled a notice of motion requesting the general manager prepare a report in support of an application for grant funding under the NSW Floodplain Management Program.

Cr Fagg's motion was amended to request a report outlining "possible solutions" be brought back to council.

"It's becoming a great problem for residents and visitors," Cr Fagg said at the December meeting.

"So many creeks flow into this creek, the water is just rising and rising. It's important to take advantage of the grant funds available. We need to have a plan for this."

Since then, council's Floodplain Management Committee has voted to endorse the development of a floodplain risk management study and plan for Black Creek and its effects on Old North Road, Rothbury.

At its March meeting, council resolved to apply for a NSW Floodplain Management Program grant for approximately $80,000 to develop the study and plan, and will allocate approximately $40,000 from its 2021-22 Floodplain Management Program as a co-contribution towards the study and plan.

The council report states that a culvert or bridge would require significant time and funding, and could take up to five years.