At next week's Council meeting a motion will be put up that Council writes to the NSW Government urging them to take into consideration the community feedback in regard to the economic impact of the preferred route for the proposed Moruya Bypass on the agricultural sector, noting the concerns that have been expressed by a number of landowners and residents. It is offered that a councillor has been approached by several affected ratepayers as well as residents expressing concerns about proposed route of the Moruya Bypass. Whilst the community has confidence that the NSW Government has undertaken a comprehensive engagement process it is more than evident from the extent of engagement and receipt of submissions that Transport NSW are well aware of the importance of the issue and that the final decision will have a significant impact for decades to come. There remains a diversity of views regarding the location of the bypass and it will be challenging to accommodate all perspectives. The motion, however, comes a week too late as the window for feedback closed on 14 June 2021. From the motion we can deduce that Council has not provided a formal submission to the NSW Government regarding concerns of "the economic impact of the preferred route for the proposed Moruya Bypass on the agricultural sector, noting the concerns that have been expressed by a number of landowners and residents". Had Council made a formal submission it would have had to have been tabled and voted on as being a submission by the elected councillors and not a submission written by management and staff. Surprisingly such a submission should have been written to give clarity to the long term responsibilities of road maintenance and who will maintain the old Moruya Bridge. Will these become a council asset and a financial burden for ratepayers? No doubt the "several affected ratepayers as well as residents expressing concerns" referred to in this ill timed motion made their own submissions.
Transport NSW advise that all feedback will be considered and issues and questions raised by the community will be addressed in a consultation report. They will also undertake further investigations to inform the concept design and environmental assessment phase of the proposal providing further opportunities for the community and stakeholders to provide feedback as the project progresses.
Councillor Anthony Mayne has been following the issue closely from the outset, attending public meetings and taking emails on concerns raised.
He told The Beagle "I have been approached by many in the community who hold views on where the best bypass corridor should be. This Thursday I will be attending the Moruya Chamber of Commerce meeting to listen to their ideas and to hear their concerns."
View the Moruya bypass community map comments HERE
