It’s going to be quite a while until we see a highway bypass in Moruya. The Moruya Business Chamber reports that was one of the main take outs from an information session conducted by Transport for NSW at the last Chamber meeting at the Moruya Golf Club.
Chris Donnelly and Glen Smith, of Transport for NSW, also told the meeting about the disappointing response from the local business community to the bypass survey with just 17 responses from businesses. Nine of those came from chamber members. They are now considering approaching businesses in person to make sure all views are captured.
When asked about progress and likely construction times they were very candid. Transport had earlier recommended the orange route to the government but were told to go back and consult further with the community – the process that is now drawing to a close. Having been burnt once, Transport public servants will not choose a preferred route again, but instead will send their report to the Transport Minister and leave the decision to the politicians. The state election set for March next year may delay that announcement.
Then it will be a matter of securing the money. There was no specific mention of the Moruya bypass in the NSW budget this week.
The NSW Government will look to the Commonwealth for the money, just like the Ulladulla bypass. Even if the decision was made soon and the money sourced it would take up to five years for the bypass to be completed. So, in reality, the Chamber says, Moruya would be probably looking at 2030 at the earliest for the bypass, and possibly longer.
Chris Donnelly and Glen Smith, of Transport for NSW said that the lack of a bypass should not impact the hospital timeline as it is a separate project.
Above: Chris Donnelly and Glen Smith from Transport for NSW discussing the Moruya bypass with chamber members at the last meeting at the Golf Club. Photo: Moruya Business Chamber
Kommentare