TD8: Audience with the Minister, and other updates.

With Christmas looming and still no appointment made between GTCC and the State Transport Minister, TD8's David Marks and Rosi Lembke took action to doggedly email and ring the appropriate advisory staff in Minister Campbell's office until they succeeded in securing a meeting on December 15 in Sydney - no mean feat!

All of you on our email list have received a copy of our letter to the RTA, copied to the Minister. Do PLEASE back up our efforts by sending them your own personal email, even if only brief. A deluge of emails BEFORE December 15 will really strengthen our case.

Bulga Road was formerly Regional Road 109, and therefore received funding from the State Government. Since 1995, the RTA has deemed it is not significant enough to retain that status, and so has devolved responsibility for ongoing costs totally on to Council (apart from a one-off compensation payment back in 1995).

We want to prove to the Minister that the Tourist Drive 8 loop road, connecting the two regions of Manning and Hastings, is of great importance socially, economically, culturally, and ecologically to regional and state well-being. As part of our presentation, we would like to offer Minister Campbell a "gift hamper" to allow him to sample, and be aware of, some of the excellent products and businesses located along Tourist Drive 8.

We are currently approaching twenty-five diverse businesses/producers/organisations and inviting them to submit items for Minister Campbell's hamper. We hope this collective "gift" will impress him suitably and make him take note of the significant contribution this community makes to the State, and indeed the Nation.

Meanwhile, it appears GTCC and the RTA may have heard our pleas to carry out the urgent crossbeam repairs ASAP to allow ambulance, and hopefully smaller buses, across Marlee Bridge. We have been told by Graham Schultz at GTCC there is a possible start date of 14 December (instead of February) for repairs, to be confirmed. If and when the works are underway, please understand there will be some periods of bridge closure when the detour is the only way, and your patience will be required.

Paul Lewers is assisting us all to draft a formal petition to the NSW Parliament, and possibly another for Federal Parliament. When it is ready, we will let you know where you can add your signatures. It is the only way to ensure our own words get heard by every parliamentarian.

TD8 are expecting to meet with the Mayor, General Manager and Operations Manager mid-week, and hope to be informed of all developments including the outcome of their site meeting with an alternative temporary bridge supplier.

Don't forget if you are not on our direct email list but wish to be, just send us an email: td8actiongroup@gmail.com

WINGHAM CHRONICLE: Special attention needed

JAMES LAW
17 Nov, 2009 11:53 AM

Although the community is focused on finding a solution to the problems on Marlee and Duffs bridges, the deteriorating state of these structures has again placed the spotlight on the litany of problems along Bulga and Colling roads.

The Elands community has been putting up with the landslips along the upper end of the mountain road all year.

Heavy rain in April 2008 caused much damage to the road and this was worsened during the wet weather events of February and March of this year.

This resulted in the road becoming narrow in places and Greater Taree City Council (GTCC) erected signs and webbing to denote sections of the road as one-way only.

The road requires extensive and costly repairs, the council says.

Many residents argue the road deserves special, urgent attention because it is part of Tourist Drive 8, a scenic route advertised to visitors on the Pacific Highway.

The Manning Valley was declared a natural disaster area by the New South Wales Government after the February flood which allowed the council to access special funding from the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA).

The council submitted a claim for $3 million for repairs to Bulga Road and Koppin Yarrat Road, Upper Lansdowne.

The acting director of engineering, Graham Schultz, said the council had chased the RTA to follow through on this funding ever since the disaster was declared – but it is still waiting.

New inconveniences will arise when the funding arrives and the extensive repairs begin. Mr Shultz envisages that the road will have to be closed at certain times of the day to allow the work to be carried out.

This will mean Elands people will have to access Wingham and Taree via Killabakh, through Colling and Comboyne roads.

GTCC maintains 6.6 kilometres of Colling Road, which connects Elands to Comboyne, while Port Macquarie-Hastings Council maintains the remaining 8km.

Elands resident Barbara Jackson said she had been lobbying members of parliament and the two councils to upgrade the unsealed road for the past 20 years.

In 2004-05, petitions were submitted to GTCC and the then member for Port Macquarie, Rob Oakeshott, regarding the use of the road by logging trucks. Residents asked for three kilometres to be sealed to protect the people living in homes close to the road from the continual dust stirred up by the traffic.

“People in Sydney and all along the East Coast were affected recently by the dust storm; this is a normal dry day for residents of Colling Road,” Ms Jackson said. “During dry periods, residents in houses on Colling Road experience a dust storm every time a vehicle goes by – three days after rain it starts. During long dry periods, the dust storm is unrelenting.”

The council’s works committee costed this work at about $840,000 in April of 2005 but this work has not been carried out.

“Remember, this is Tourist Drive 8 – many, many tourists visit the ‘jewel in the crown’ Ellenborough Falls accessing Colling Road to do so,” Ms Jackson said.

“I request that GTCC and Hastings Council seek funding from State and federal government for the sealing of Tourist Drive 8, starting with Colling Road, and that in the meantime, GTCC investigate and fund a dust suppressant on 1.8 kilometres of the Colling Road, starting at Bulga Road.”

Mr Schultz said the council is always examining the different dust suppressant products available on the market to assess their effectiveness for our region. However, Ms Jackson wants action sooner rather than later.

“We have to start looking outside the square people! Residents’ health is at stake here.”

The member for Lyne, Rob Oakeshott, has been a supporter of the Tourist Drive 8 cause. He and his representatives have met with the Tourist Drive 8 Action Group and promised to advocate their cause.

“This is something we need to start to place weight on as a community and look at as an enormous opportunity if we invest well in it,” Mr Oakeshott said. “The downscaling of (Marlee and Duffs) bridges would be a backwards step for the campaign to have this tourist drive mean something, and it is once again a reason to look for the three tiers of government to do some heavy lifting on these important roads and bridges in the Upper Manning Valley.”

Greater Taree City Council meets tonight to consider the best way to deal with Marlee and Duffs bridges.

http://www.winghamchronicle.com.au/news/local/news/general/special-attention-needed/1679688.aspx?storypage=1

GTCC Meeting 18th November - Outcome

We are pleased with the outcomes of the GTCC meeting held last night. This meeting included the follow up Works Report which was discussed at the last GTCC meeting held on 4th November 2009.

Under discussion was the option to increase the capacity of Marlee Bridge and to put forward alternative options for temporary crossings at both Marlee and Duffs bridges.

In this regard the Works Report was accepted, with an amendment to look at the heritage value and costings of the current timber bridges. The general consensus being that the maintenance and preservation costs of the bridges was beyond GTCC ability. A thorough discussion ensued in respect to the pros and cons of preserving the bridges in whatever form.

A second temporary bridge option is currently under review however due to the sensitive nature of this particular option details are being kept close to GTCC chest. These details will be advised upon further investigation by GTCC. TD8 will be monitoring this second option closely.

GTCC resolved to pursue the temporary bridge options as a matter of urgency.

A proposal by GTCC to borrow up to $1M to fund the temporary bridges was moved and in this they appear genuine in their endeavours to now move speedily to source the most appropriate temporary solution.

Mayor Hogan and the City Councilors had positive comments on the work the community and TD8 have done in attending meetings as well as working through the various options available.

At the consultation meeting held on Wednesday 11th November with Rob Oakeshott MP, GTCC and TD8 we discussed the reclassification of Bulga Road and Tourist Drive 8 to a regional road. In this reclassification there is the opportunity to attract State funding for repairs and improvements. Whilst this option is worth pursuing we do not expect a quick outcome.

Mayor Hogan and two or three representatives of TD8AG are endeavouring to arrange a meeting with Mr David Campbell, Minister for Roads & Transport to seek funding for two permanent new bridges.

Thanks to all for what has been a great advancement in real solutions in the space of one month.

http://www.gtcc.nsw.gov.au/webcomm/Page/Download.asp?name=minutes-18nov09.pdf&size=0&link=../Files/minutes-18nov09.pdf

TD8: Speed Humps Marlee & Duffs Bridges

It is a shame that given the deterioration of Marlee and Duffs bridges and subsequent tonnage limitations placed on both for the safety of the community and visitors alike, someone has decided to remove the said humps.

The speed humps, although somewhat harsh, have been installed to impede and slow vehiclar traffic to the 10 km limit, which in turn, slows down the deterioration of the bridges. This being truly the desired effect, and it is fair to say that without them this problem will only be exacerbated.

The effect to the community being a reducation to the life of Marlee (& Duffs) bridge as well as the ongoing costs, precious funds, that we as a community would prefer GTCC to be using towards installation of temporary bridges rather than channelling it in another direction, ie replacement of humps.

We would therefore ask the community to rally behind GTCC and its primary intent of ensuring safety to all who utilise these bridges.

TD8 & GTCC: Outcome of informal Council Meeting - 11 November 2009

TD8, GTCC and Rob Oakeshott had a very positive informal meeting last night. Our resolutions from Monday's public meeting were conveyed, and accepted by Council without any resistance. A temporary solution for both Marlee and Duffs Bridges has been taken on board as the only acceptable interim solution for this community.

John Stuckey provided a written response from Gloucester Council's engineer with proposed costings for hire of bridge components and technical assistance, and also factored in the costs of purchasing additional bridge sections. John also indicated that GTCC engineers are investigating other temporary bridge systems which could possibly achieve the required span without a mid-river support (as the Gloucester bridge would require).

Graham Shultz agreed that the urgent replacement of the three crossbeams is still needed as a safety issue. He has now provided us with copies of the Integrity Testing reports for both bridges. It is great to be working with GTCC in such a progressive way.

Our discussions and resolution on heritage matters were noted.

The need to attract funding from higher levels of government was discussed. Rob Oakeshott will undertake to bring up this subject in Parliament over the next fortnight and has requested a written submission from GTCC to assist him. Mayor Paul Hogan will continue in his endeavours to make contact with Mr Campbell and it was agreed that should an appointment be made, at least one community member should accompany the Mayor to the meeting.

Regarding The Bulga Road landslip repairs, GTCC advised that following the storms in 2008 & 2009 geotech investigations and estimates were received to undertake repairs to the landslips. Further geotech reports were requested as the estimates appeared to be too low. The final estimates have been received by GTCC and will shortly be sent to the RTA for approval. No dates are available to enable the tendering process to commence until final approval is received from the RTA. We will continue to liaise with GTCC in respect to this matter.

Clr David West commended our group, and our community, on the way we have handled this crisis and our willingness to work co-operatively with our local council.

We TD8 (David Marks, Rosi Lembke, Col Hurrell, Ken Cameron, Janeece Irving and Sandra Kwa) left the meeting feeling optimistic. At least at this level of government, our voices have been heard. Thanks to all for your inputs, ideas, advices and support.

TD8 UPDATE: Community Meeting Mon 9th Nov, Bobin Hall

Well, what an incredible turn out we had last night. We calculated approximately 180 or so residents, and given the time that was taken out of ones busy day, this is a fantastic result. This is surely a testament of how serious this community takes the issue and that we will not be backing anyway from a resolution anytime soon.

The order of events proceeded as follows:
- Ken Cameron - moderator for the evening
- David Marks - provided a history of TD8 Committee, background information of what has transpired with GTCC to date and changes that are occurring within Council. The issue of the Bulga Road landslip was highlighted and the lack of action by GTCC to date.
- Eric Richardon - a brief history and heritage significance of Marlee and Duffs Bridges (both being over 100 years old) as well as providing a broad overview of how past decisions made at State and Council levels has impacted today on roads and bridges. With GTCC having to manage a catchmentment of approximately 3,500 square miles, lack of funding, inadequate resources and ill preparation culminating in the issues we are now faced with today. Eric also suggested that we look at alternative funding ideas in an effort to assist GTCC in rectification of the bridges, such as voluntary rate pegging.
- Rosi Lembke - briefly spoke of the td8 website, email address and how to get in touch with the group to voice ideas and concerns.
- Sandra Kwa & Ken Cameron - provided great detail on the 6 options that GTCC had put forward in its Works Report dated 7th October 2009. The third option of temporary bridges, which would allow 60 tonne load on both Marlee and Duffs bridges, seen as the most viable of all.

With many questions and ideas expressed from the floor, the various options discussed in detail a vote was taken on each option. Option 3 was voted on unanimously, that is, the temporary 60 tonne load bridges.

Comments were made from the floor in respect to a temporary fix of Marlee bridge in order to allow an ambulance to cross. Safety of the community being a prominent issue.

Also discussed was the state of the Bulga Road and the inaction from GTCC since the Coffey Report was discussed and moved by Councillors on 22nd April 2009 meeting. The point being made that a whole approach to the Tourist Drive 8 needs to be considered by GTCC and not just a temporary, and then long term fix to the bridges.

Finally, we moved onto 'what to do with the current timber bridges'. Again open dialouge within the community proved fruitful. A vote was taken with the result being that the Marlee bridge should be removed, a photographic history collected and an intrepretive structure built close by using timber from the bridge. Similarly this was agreed for Duffs bridge less the interpretive structure.

Questions for GTCC to answer on whether this could occur are past timber treatments as well as funding ongoing maintance.

We would like to make a special thanks to Eric Richardson for providing his time and thoughtful insights on the issue. I believe it greatly benefited to the discussions.

Again thanks to all.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: DIY roadworks, towns fix own potholes as councils cannot afford to fix roads

Hard copy article taken from the Daily Telegraph
By Vikki Campion, Urban Affairs Reporter From: The Daily Telegraph November 09, 2009 12:00AM

Picture: Robert Mckell Source: The Daily Telegraph