Hawkesbury City councillors have given their full support to community concerns that the NSW Government's proposed Richmond Bridge duplication project will cause significant adverse impacts on local communities and the Hawkesbury River floodplain without delivering an acceptable level of flood immunity or traffic relief.
Councillors were unanimous in their condemnation of the proposal at Tuesday night's Council meeting during the consideration of Council's submission to Transport for NSW's current community consultation period.
Councillors were highly critical of the positioning of the proposed second bridge, the proposal for a four lane bridge with two-lane approaches causing traffic bottlenecks, the removal of roadside parking on Bells Line of Road at North Richmond, the inclusion of traffic lights at the intersection at Kurrajong Road, Yarramundi Lane and Old Kurrajong Road in lieu of a flyover, and omission of an upgrade to Redbank Creek Bridge on the approach at Bells Line of Road.
Councillors also condemned the state government's failure to secure full funding for the project and proposing to divert all bypass traffic down the existing Southee Road at Hobartville until such funding could be secured, and the proposal to build a bridge and raised road sections without undertaking modelling of potential flood impacts to nearby properties and the greater floodplain.
Councillors reiterated their opposition to the proposed route following Inalls Lane and Southee Road at Hobartville due to noise and traffic impacts on residents in Hobartville, and the numerous heritage items in Inalls Lane – including the Macquarie-era cultural heritage landscape, William Cox-built road and original 1820 stock route, and the State Heritage listed items Mountain View, Hobartville Stud and St Peter's Church Group – and requested the government provide costings on alternative routes.
Councillor Mary Lyons-Buckett, in moving the motion, said all these matters had been raised by residents at a community rally on Sunday 16 February, which was attended by nine councillors, Hawkesbury MP Robyn Preston, Macquarie MP Susan Templeman and representatives from Transport for NSW.
"We are talking about major exit route out of Sydney to the west and we require an outcome in line with its importance, which is complete and adequately funded to deliver a viable project to improve traffic congestion and improve flood immunity," Clr Lyons Buckett said.
"Here we have a proposal, incomplete in its capacity to be delivered in its entirety about which there is a broad range of concerns. We don't want to see a half-baked project proceed.
"We need a solution that is for the future. We don't want nor do we deserve a second-rate solution in the Hawkesbury."
Mayor Les Sheather welcomed the Council's unanimous position on its submission to Transport for NSW.
"We will do our best as a Council to get the best outcome. I would suggest to the community, if you have concerns then write your submissions in. Council can't do this on its own, and submissions from the community will make a big difference," Mayor Shealther said.
You can read Council's submission in full here. The submission will be forwarded to Transport for NSW as well as State and Federal Members, The Hon Mark Banasiak MLC - Upper House Member for The Shooters Fishes and Farmers Party, Elizabeth Watson-Brown - Greens spokesperson for Transport and The Hon Peter Primrose MLC - Member of the Legislative Council.
