10 November 2021

'A disaster waiting to happen': Mogo businesses react to new development plans

| Tom McGann
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Intersection in Mogo

The location for a proposed b-double roundabout and bus depot in Mogo. Photo. Tom McGann.

Long-time Mogo business owners have come out against Eurobodalla Shire Council’s plans to revitalise parts of the small bushfire-affected village, describing the new developments as “a disaster waiting to happen”.

Mogo Nursery owners Phil Mayberry and Gayle Smith are among those upset by parts of the proposed Mogo Village Activation Plan.

“It came out of the blue,” said Mr Mayberry.

“We started scratching our heads. Do we need a b-double roundabout next to the car park?”

Council’s plans include new traffic lights on Annett Street and the Tomakin Road turn-off, and a b-double roundabout next to the car park on Charles Street.

READ MORE $3 million boost for mountain biking trails at Mogo

Council is also working closely with a private development team planning a bus depot on the other side of the proposed roundabout to house school and general public transport buses.

“Council remains open to working with the developer and other nearby landowners to ensure appropriate access to Tomakin Road,” said a council spokesperson.

A major mountain bike trail is also being constructed as part of the plan, with council already having hired contractors to form the tracks.

The mountain biking tracks are expected to bring an extra 45,000 visitors to the town per year, boosting the economy by $10.1 million per year as a result.

Mogo Village Business Chamber meeting

Mogo Village Business Chamber members discussing the proposed Mogo Activation Plan. Photo: Tom McGann.

While welcoming the Mogo Activation Plan initiative, business owners are worried it lacks new car parks. With an increase in visitors coming to Mogo for the mountain bike trails, car parking spots which could be used for local businesses are expected to be taken up by riders.

Discussing the proposed development at this month’s Mogo Village Business Chamber meeting, some business owners said they felt council had ignored their input regarding the town’s rebuild from the Black Summer bushfires.

They also expressed concern the proposed bus depot would cause major traffic delays on Tomakin Road, especially during peak traffic times.

READ ALSO Mogo residents urged to have their say on the town’s future

Some claimed Mogo residents and businesses were not notified of its possible construction, including home owners whose properties will back onto the new bus depot.

Mr Mayberry and Ms Smith said they first objected to a development application (DA) proposal for a bus depot in Mogo 20 years ago, saying it would be an issue for traffic pollution in the small village and would bring environmental problems.

They were shocked to discover the proposal was approved in 2018.

“We are quite angry about it,” said Mr Mayberry.

Main street of Mogo

The main street of Mogo, on the NSW South Coast, where new traffic lights may soon be built. Photo: Tom McGann.

While the DA for the bus depot has been approved, the fate of the other developments will be left to the new council to decide after next month’s local government elections.

A Eurobodalla Shire Council spokesperson said the plan is currently on public exhibition until 1 December, 2021, to enable the community to provide feedback.

“Following the exhibition period, the new council will consider the draft plan along with the community’s feedback next year,” said the spokesperson.

The Mogo Village Business Chamber will meet again later this month at a community barbecue to gather the opinions of Mogo residents and inform them of council’s proposed plans.

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Robyn Broughton7:42 am 20 Nov 21

I agree do we really need the new bus depot to be where it is proposed why not further East up the Highway the depot won’t be an attraction to Mogo quaintness rather an ugly eyesore Please reconsider not building it in proposed area also think the proposed roundabout too near the proposed traffic lights when lights are installed it should make it easier for access out of the carpark at back of Mogo shops

Matthew McAuley9:35 pm 18 Nov 21

Great idea about time we seen some growth in Mogo

You’re right, these city dwellers came because they fell in love with the “country towns” then started to change it in every way possible and council are happy to to accommodate and meet their needs and not their local towns follk who were born and bread in these towns for generations.

There is no disputing the main street of Mogo needs traffic lights for safety for both drivers & pedestrians. Are the toilets built yet, has certainly been a basic urgent requirement needed & more importanly addressing if all the other proposals go ahead

Robyn Broughton7:35 am 20 Nov 21

Yes a great need for Traffic lights as proposed at junction of Tomakin Road and the Highway many near misses at this junction traffic off Tomakin Road onto highway has greatly increased with new homes being built at Tomakin Barlings Beach area and at Broulee traffic has greatly increased also good to have IGA and open fish shop but they too have helped to increase traffic The traffic lights are a must do and ASAP.

You know, continual development for so called tourists and investment purposes is the quickest way to wrecking your way of country life. Its already on the way out. Don’t let the Sydney and Canberra crowd post COVID force your children out of town to find a affordable house in the name of development.

You’re right, these city dwellers came because they fell in love with the “country towns” then started to change it in every way possible and council are happy to to accommodate and meet their needs and not their local towns follk who were born and bread in these towns for generations.

Suzanne Meli10:16 am 13 Nov 21

Traffic lights yes bus and tryck depot no way. Why not farther down past the school plenty of space

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