NSW Labor committed $15 million for a heritage-sensitive renewal of Cuttagee Bridge. Who will fund the shortfall? Photo: Marion Williams.
Bega Valley Shire councillors have voted to replace Cuttagee Bridge with a two-lane concrete structure.
Councillors were scheduled to vote on the three design options at their recent ordinary meeting but councillor David Porter immediately foreshadowed a motion to support the two-lane hybrid option made from concrete and steel with some “decorative” timber.
Hot on his heels were Clr Tony Allen who foreshadowed a motion to support the two-lane concrete option, followed by Clr Helen O’Neil who foreshadowed a motion to support the single-lane hybrid bridge option.
Clr Allen said the concrete design was the only one that ticked all the boxes and the concrete design’s lower repair and maintenance costs would greatly benefit ratepayers.
The concrete bridge is expected to cost $29.1 million, versus $26.7 million for the single-lane and $29.5 million for the two-lane hybrid option.
Council’s estimated forecast maintenance costs over 100 years are $4.1 million for the concrete bridge, $5 million for the one-lane option and $5.4 million for the two-lane hybrid design. Council’s project manager GHD has not verified those estimates.
The decision was a blow to the many community members who have campaigned for several years to retain as much as possible of the 127-year-old bridge’s heritage values.
Council’s report said 52 per cent of respondents to a survey about the three options selected the single-lane option and more than 60 per cent indicated the concrete option did not reflect the local area’s character.
The report said 28 per cent of respondents to the September survey had chosen the concrete option and 20 per cent chose the two-lane hybrid design.
In addition to talking about the need to preserve the bridge’s heritage characteristics and respect the community’s wishes, proponents of the single-lane option spoke about the lower environmental impact of the narrower structure.
Council’s director assets and operations Ian Macfarlane said replacing the bridge was a major project regardless which option was chosen.
A full environmental assessment has yet to be done.
Addressing councillors in the public forum before the meeting resident Karen Joynes said Cuttagee estuary was a wildlife protection area and the surrounding land was mainly used for conservation in national parks or flora reserves.
“Council must take into account the predictions for sea level rise and increased erosion with climate change occurring now,” she said. “The Review of Environmental Factors acknowledges the bridge is in a high hazard zone and says any realignment to the east would not be approved by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.”
She said the new bridge proposed did not meet government polices around climate change. The policy is to adapt by not building any new infrastructure in erosion zones and by retreating to “safe” ground.
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison has welcomed the council’s decision. Photo: David Rogers Photography.
Supporters of a one-lane bridge also spoke about its traffic calming properties because drivers must slow down. It is a very busy pedestrian area during school holidays without footpaths or safe access to the beach.
The single-lane design had a 60 km/h posted speed limit while the two-lane options have an 80 km/h posted speed limit. No load limit has been specified. Higher speeds and loads may lead to higher maintenance costs on the surrounding road.
Mr Macfarlane said the concrete bridge’s safety measures included a pathway to keep pedestrians separate from traffic and lanes wide enough to separate traffic travelling in opposite directions.
He said traffic calming measures would likely be in the form of clear signage, clear delineation and line of sight rather than “traffic furniture like speed humps that rarely work”.
In a statement on 12 November, NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison welcomed the news that council had made a decision.
She said one of the requirements of the funding deed was that any upgrade upheld the heritage of the current bridge which was a “much-loved community and tourism asset”.
“While I’m disappointed that council has decided to proceed with a design that does not uphold the heritage of the current bridge, I respect the decision of the council.
“We cannot let the failure of council to address the community’s intent to maintain the heritage value of the bridge again stop progress on ensuring that there is a safe connection for times of emergency for this community.”
She thanked Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland and the broader community for their persistent advocacy and said she expected council to keep the community informed.
Councillors Allen, Porter, Mitch Nadin, Peggy Noble and Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick voted for the concrete option. Councillors O’Neil, Simon Daly, Peter Haggar and Clair Mudaliar voted against it.
