With the Federal government offering $500m for the upgrade of the Princes Highway and the local member wanting to see the highway duplicated to the Victorian border one of the Eurobodalla shire's primary pinch points will come under discussion at next Tuesday's Council meeting with the following questions being asked: 1. What consultation did the RMS and/or Transport for NSW have with ESC prior to the Moruya bypass announcement? 2. What, if any, support/advice/compensation will be offered to affected businesses by the State government during and post construction (noting compensation was paid to businesses affected by the Sydney Light Rail). 3. What is Transport for NSW/RMS’ current view and plans for the “Narooma Bypass”, noting land has already been set aside for a “bypass” cutting Narooma in two? 4. Will Transport for NSW/RMS be considering a true bypass of Narooma west of Wagonga Inlet? 5. What will be the consultation process with ESC and the Narooma community so the broader community can be involved? 6. As the Narooma Bridge is the most problematic and difficult to negotiate for larger vehicles in Eurobodalla, what is RMS/Transport for NSW’s immediate and long term future view for the Narooma Bridge and any future bypass under Transport for NSW? 7. What was the purpose of the technology recently in place near the intersection of Princes Highway and Centenary Drive and Dalmeny Drive intersections? 8. What is the current status of Transport for NSW (RMS) considerations in relation to Council’s submission opposing the RMS proposal to ban right turns at the Princes Highway/Centenary Drive intersection? Council's report says "The issues of bypasses has been discussed widely in the community for some time, however this is particularly the case since the recent unexpected announcement of the Moruya Bypass by the Liberal Government along with their stated goal to duplicate to the Victorian border. "There has also been a reported indication the Federal Government is open to discussion regarding a new funding model for the section of Highway 1 to the Victorian border, which is of particular interest to Eurobodalla residents Following the recent address to Councillors by the Moruya Chamber of Commerce and their concerns regarding lack of consultation prior to the announcement, which has caused the Moruya Business community to hastily prepare a strategy to negate the effects as they see them, of this major disruption to their businesses it is proposed that the questions above be posed to the Transport for NSW (RMS) in regards to the Narooma bypass if one is planned. More recently NSW Roads and Maritime Services sought to ban the right turn off the Princes Highway into Centenary Drive much to the chagrin of the Council who
resolved on 25 June 2019:
1. Council respond to the request to provide feedback on the proposal from the NSW Roads and Maritime Services to ban the right turn off the Princes Highway into Centenary Drive by: a) strongly objecting to this proposal to ensure the right turn is retained;
b) requesting Roads and Maritime Services (soon to be Transport for NSW) to:
i) provide the necessary funding to upgrade the intersection at Princes Highway/ Centenary Drive using the land already owned by the NSW Government opposite Centenary Drive;
ii) introduce additional signage and delineation, as an interim measure to improve road safety outcomes;
2. Council write to the Hon Andrew Constance MP, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, seeking his support for Council's position on this matter.
At present the current status of Transport for NSW (RMS) considerations in relation to Council’s submission opposing the RMS proposal to ban right turns at the Princes Highway/Centenary Drive intersection are unknown.
