COUNCIL PASSES CONSULTATION MOTION ON HAMPDEN BRIDGE REPAIR WORKS
19 May 10
SHOALHAVEN City Deputy Mayor Gareth Ward has announced that he has received unanimous support for an urgency motion he put to Council overnight, concerning the consultation on RTA proposals for repair works to the Hampden Bridge in Kangaroo Valley.
"Last week, I emailed Kangaroo Valley residents with a motion I was proposing to put to Council to request that the RTA convene a public meeting to receive feedback from Valley residents on proposed repairs to the Hampden Bridge," Cr Ward said.
"I am grateful for the feedback of Kangaroo Valley residents and thank those who have helped formulate the points and issues that must be considered as part of this important consultation process.
"I was advised yesterday that the RTA have finally agreed to hold this public consultation meeting sometime in the next two months.
"In order to ensure that the RTA responds to residents concerns, I introduced an urgency motion at Council last night which was carried unanimously.
The resolution was:
It is recommended that:
•a) Council write to the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA), Minister for Roads and Shadow Minister for Roads acknowledging that a public meeting will now been convened in Kangaroo Valley on RTA plans to close the Hampden Bridge for repairs in 2011;
•b) With respect to part (a) that this public meeting be to genuinely consult with the community and to ensure that community concerns are addressed in the manner in which the RTA undertakes the work. This should include consideration of options such as work/ closure between 10 pm and 6 am.
•c) Whilst Council acknowledges that necessary repairs to the Hampden Bridge should occur, Council request in representations to the RTA, Minister for Roads and Shadow Minister for Roads (mentioned above in (a)) that serious consideration must be given to:
- The access needs of emergency service vehicles as well as regular sewerage pump out services;
- The preservation of this heritage asset and the original materials contained in the bridge as well as the form of the bridge;
- The significant detrimental impact of daytime bridge closures on local services, businesses and therefore the community and economy of Kangaroo Valley; and
- The wider economic impact on the Shoalhaven and south coast district such as tourism and industry