Locals Shaping Future Of Princes Highway Through Burrill Lake

The local community is at the centre of planning the future of the Princes Highway at Burrill Lake, with the first meeting of the new community co-design committee held last week.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said five people from the local area, along with five representatives from community groups and a representative from the Ulladulla Local Aboriginal Land Council have joined Transport for NSW in forming the committee.

“We thank the community for its impressive response to the call out for applicants in June, and are grateful to everyone who put their hands up to help shape future journeys at Burrill Lake,” Mr Toole said.

“This is about tapping into the knowledge of the people who know this area best to ensure we get the best outcomes for the community.

“The quantity and calibre of candidates was so high we increased the number of community representatives on the committee from three to five.”

Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock said community input was crucial in making sure the new Princes Highway balances the needs of motorists with the needs of the Burrill Lake, Dolphin Point and Kings Point communities.

“The co-design committee will workshop and recommend options for the highway upgrade at Burrill Lake, including the southern connection of the Milton Ulladulla bypass,” Mrs Hancock said.

The committee is made up of local residents and business owners, as well as representatives from community organisations, including Burrill Lake Community Association, Ulladulla District Forum, Lake Tabourie Ratepayers and Residents Association, Milton Ulladulla Historical Society and the Lions Club.

Chosen via an independent selection process, committee members will explore current options proposed by Transport, and in the coming months can make suggestions for further options to be considered.

Member for Bega Andrew Constance said the committee would also consider the impacts on the Burrill Lake to Batemans Bay upgrade and how best to integrate the two upgrades around Burrill Lake.

“It’s critical that we get the planning right before we start construction, not just on the Milton Ulladulla Upgrade, but also further south on the upgrade to Batemans Bay, as each part of the highway affects the other,” Mr Constance said.

The Co-Design Committee will include representatives from Shoalhaven City Council and have access to experts across government including Transport, the Rural Fire Service, National Parks and Wildlife Services, Resilience NSW, and the Department of Primary Industries and Environment.

In their first meeting, committee members were given an overview of the project, the scope and the objectives.

To be held monthly, future meetings will include a virtual site tour and in-depth workshops on possible options.

The committee will recommend a preferred option to Transport for further consideration in late 2021. This preferred option will be displayed to the wider community for feedback in early 2022.

Minutes from co-design committee meetings will be published on the project webpage nswroads.work/bl2bb