The Beagle Editor, A bridge too far?
Congratulations to the Moruya Business Chamber for highlighting Council’s responsibility to proactively participate in mitigating any likely adverse impacts of the proposed Moruya by-pass prompted, we all know, by the announcements of funding by our local members in the lead up to the recent state and federal elections.
The shire’s most urgent location for highway re-routing, as Blind Freddy knows, is the Narooma Bridge but, a cynic might say, it was not, like Moruya, in the Gilmore federal electorate (but is still in the state Bega electorate, Mr C.).
Let’s hope that the Chamber’s message gets through as it seems Council has not been as publically active as would be desired in protecting the shire’s residents and businesses in relation to the Batemans Bay bridge’s effects on the town. This has been evident in part by revelations about the lower height of the new bridge, its effects on CBD traffic flows and the reported way the foreshore sunset committee’s input has been largely ignored and over-ridden.
Many will recall the lack of action by Council when Clr Constable two years ago called for a proper examination of the highway in the shire. Had this “pow wow” occurred then, perhaps there would by now be news of a decent strategy developed for transport in, out and within the region with prudent provisions for other services in the optimal highway corridor.
Politicians jumping the gun to bring forward “pet” projects frustrate any strategic, long-term plans the RMS and other instrumentalities might have had in train. It’s like saying “Never mind draining the swamp, guys, I want you to buy this pump!”.
Hopefully the Moruya Business Chamber’s initiative will prime Council to do the right thing!
Jeff de Jager
Coila
