Letter to The Editor The Beagle,
Much has been written about the proposed Bypass for Moruya. As we come to the end of this year I would like to share some information and in particular respond to the points Phil Herrick, Vice President of the Moruya Chamber of Commerce, raised on this topic.
The Moruya Bypass Action Group was started by people who are not directly affected by the Bypass – yes it has members that are but it also has the support of many people not in the direct route of the preferred strategic corridor – these are people who care about the farm land, environment, business in town and where the many displaced people will go if this route becomes the chosen one.
The route closer to town that we have promoted does not cut through Riverside Park – it would cross to the East of the Park and afford travellers a view of Moruya which may entice many to call and support the businesses in our main CBD. A suggestion has been made by a local business person that a Bridge to Bridge walk on both sides of the river could be something that both tourists and locals could enjoy if the new bridge was located on the route closer to town. The bridge is not 15 metres high over land – there seems to be misinformation that a 15 metre high structure would cut through the town – this is not the case. The route closer to town is east of the business area.
Much is said about preserving our food bowl – the farm land on the proposed route is very productive. Why chose the route that destroys the most farmland and environment, displaces many more people, costs more than the shorter route … and disfigures so much of our beautiful river flats?
People from Batemans Bay need to be aware that the preferred route chosen by Transport 4 NSW does not go direct to the new Hospital site. Those coming from the north of Moruya will travel well south past the site and have to make a right turn back up the existing Highway before taking another right turn into the Hospital site. The original route closer to town goes straight to the Hospital.
Both our petition and non biased Business Survey in Moruya have shown us that most people do not know where the actual route preferred by Transport4NSW goes. Business was not consulted and does not want the preferred Orange route. The wider community was not consulted – people are horrified to learn that between 18 – 22 homes will be lost, livelihoods will be lost and our beautiful river flats will have a 4 lane wide concrete structure cutting its way over so much land.
From the outset we were told it was a “preferred strategic route” only – it was not set in concrete so to speak. However our many submissions to and Meetings with Transport4NSW Officials and Politicians have not achieved any real answers to our many valid questions. How was the Orange route chosen over the one closer to town? There has never been any open data provided on this.
We are very aware that wherever the route goes there will be loss and grief for people. We seek to have the consultation process opened to achieve an outcome that is best for our people, our town and results in less loss overall.
Glenda Collins
