‘Orange route’ gets green light

Starting north of the Tenterfield Creek Bridge, the orange route will travel across the railway north of Curry’s Gap Conservation Area, travel west of the railway along Western Street and re-cross the railway to Western Boundary Street connecting to the highway at Cowper Street.

By ALENA HIGGINS

TENTERFIELD Shire Council (TSC) has signalled its preference for the proposed heavy vehicle bypass, choosing the “orange” route at its general meeting late last month.
But as the final decision on placement draws nearer one local councillor has raised concerns about the future of the local economy if the bypass gets rubberstamped.
Deputy mayor Brian Murray said he believed community sentiment had changed and people were now questioning the need for a bypass.
He said council had been “lax” when it came to informing the general public about the cons of the multi-million dollar project and called for a survey to be undertaken so residents could make “a reasonable decision for themselves”.
“Personally I am not opposed to the bypass as such, but I am concerned for the people – for what they are going to inherit,” Cr Murray said.
“I think an independent, responsible body should come in and do a survey and let people know what the pitfalls are.”
If plans for a McDonald’s along the bypass came to fruition and someone established a petrol station on the route it would be “all over” in terms of through-traffic to the town,” he said.
“Most people want heavy vehicles out of town, and I’m all for that, they also think they will get more parking in the main street and I’m assured they will,” Cr Murray said
“But you lose your services and it has a domino effect.”
All councillors, except Cr Murray, voted on 25 June to send a submission to Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) requesting the project name and all signage be changed to the “Tenterfield Heavy Vehicle Detour” to deter regular cars from travelling along the route.
They also resolved to advise RMS in their submission that out of the four shortlisted options, the “orange route best facilitates the desired outcome; that the through route leads to Tenterfield, and bypassing Tenterfield requires a conscious detour”.
TSC outgoing director of engineering services Dennis Gascoigne moved to allay any fears, saying council’s main issue was to ensure the ongoing economic and social integrity of the town, adding there was plenty of time for consultation down the track.
“You have got to put the cart before the horse,” Mr Gascoigne stressed.
“People have got to realise … you have got to know where it is going to go before you can identify the impact on the community and whether the community support the project or not.
“There is no funding for the next stage yet which is the detailed design of the route, let alone to construction.
“This is a long, long way away and these are very, very early days in the planning.”
RMS is expected to make an announcement on the final route by the end of the year.

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