Don't take "no" for an answer.

TD8 Action Group
www.td8actiongroup.blogspot.com
td8actiongroup@gmail.com
PO Elands NSW 2429

Hon David Campbell, Minister for Transport
Mr Gavin Hill, Policy Advisor
Mr Joe Krsul, Asset Manager RTA Hunter Region,

Hon Barbara Perry, Minister for Local Government
Hon Kristina Keneally, Premier of NSW

Dear representatives and staff of the people of NSW,

Re: Letter from David Campbell MP to TD8 Action Group dated 19 March 2010 re Marlee and Duffs Bridges.

We wish to bring to your attention a serious error contained in the above letter (attached), which may indicate mistaken advice upon which the Minister for Transport has subsequently made a wrong decision.

Mr Campbell, your letter states: "I am advised that the (Greater Taree City) council receives funding assistance through ... the Timber Bridge Replacement Program for bridges on regional roads".

In fact, this council receives no such funding because none of its numerous failing timber bridges are on "regional roads". They are all on local roads, or roads which were shifted from regional to local as is the case with Marlee and Duffs Bridges.

This was the whole reason why we, and our Council, made the long trip with our detailed submission, to meet with you, Mr Campbell, and you, Mr Hill, on 15 December 2009. We thought it was very clear, and certainly you, Mr Krsul, are aware, that your RTA Timber Bridge program completely excludes the Greater Taree LGA, leaving us disadvantaged compared with other LGAs, some of which have had multiple bridges funded.

Mr Hill, you will recall we even stressed to you by phone (Friday 12 March), that this unfair exclusion renders the Minister morally obligated, if not technically, to provide assistance to Greater Taree. We are at a total loss as to how this error has been made.

Please, Mr Campbell, on the basis of this clarification now, reconsider your decision.

Your response has been: "the RTA is not in a position to provide supplementary funding". We were not asking the RTA; we are asking you for ministerial discretionary funding. Our State and Federal MPs, and Michael Pappadopoulos in the RTA, told us that you have access to such funds for additional projects considered on merit. Is this not the case?

Since you have deemed these bridges, on a State-designated tourist route (to the State's highest single-drop waterfall), do not merit State support, and you are fully aware of Council's inability to cope without State assistance, what do you suggest Council should do?

The Percy Allan Report, Are Councils Sustainable?, recommended in 2006 that Commonwealth and State Governments increase their grants by $200 million a year. In our council alone, the infrastructure backlog is now $170million. Professor Allan recognises "the special problems of rural councils, which, because of their vast road networks and narrow rate bases, will only survive with increased grant funding". (P. Allan, p.7) What is your response to Percy Allan's recommendations?

Why, in the RTA's recent NSW Road Classification Review, was there a net shift of resources away from rural roads and in favour of Sydney roads? (Final Report 2007, p.22) How does this help the special problems of rural councils mentioned above?

We are told by Council that for 50 years there has been "State cost shifting of services and infrastructure onto local councils". (Building a Better Future, Frequently Asked Questions, GTCC, p.4) Why did this happen? If State cost shifting is partly to blame for our infrastructure problems, then surely the State should contribute to the solutions? What savings can the State make in other areas in order to place a higher priority on roads and bridges?

If an accident occurs because of a substandard road where it has been financially impossible for the local council to maintain it, who is liable? Can councils cost shift back up to the State? If the State Transport Minister hasn't the funds to ensure all the roads in NSW are safe, shouldn't the State in turn seek to cost shift back up to the Commonwealth?

Ms Perry, is it fair that our Council should now be seeking a massive rate increase of 57.4% over four years (12% per annum compounding) in an attempt to cost shift the burden of chronic government cost shifting unilaterally onto the ratepayers of Greater Taree?

Isn't it time all levels of government started to work as one? We've heard enough blame shifting. Local councils deserve more than 5% of the public resource pool. (Percy Allan, p.7)

The ratepayers are prepared for some increase, and indeed should be paying a fair rate that is comparable to other LGAs, but an increase this size will surely cause hardship to many struggling families in this low socio-economic region. We are already facing steep increases in power and water bills. A sudden rate increase may be the last nail in the coffin, particularly for young families of modest income enticed into home ownership by well-intentioned government schemes.

Ms Keneally, as our Premier, please show the people of Greater Taree, and all the statewide, nationwide and worldwide visitors who are drawn to this beautiful region, that you care and are proud of what we have to offer. Crumbling roads and bridges reflect so poorly on this State and are a hazard for all road users. Please show us the compassion that your Transport Minister could not seem to muster. Please influence him to reverse his decision regarding Council's modest request for $2 million - less than a 50% contribution - towards the replacement of Marlee and Duffs Bridges. This gesture will ease the pain and burden of a community facing an insurmountable infrastructure nightmare.

We look forward to replies from all addressees to this letter.

Thankyou for taking careful note of our views.

Yours sincerely,

Ms Sandra Kwa
Mr David Marks
Mr Ken Cameron
Mr Colin Hurrell
Ms Janeece Irving
Ms Rosemary Lembke

31/3/10

NO HELP FROM ABOVE

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE

The view is looking decidedly dim, as we can now confirm that there is no help coming from the State Government. In a letter received on Friday 19 March, the Transport Minister David Campbell confirmed to TD8 that he has chosen to completely abandon Marlee and Duffs Bridges on Bulga Rd, despite our case, put strongly to him in a meeting last December, that this tourist drive to Ellenborough Falls is an important economic, social and cultural link between two regions.

His letter erroneously claims that our council receives State funding through "the Timber Bridges Replacement Program for bridges on regional roads". In fact, Greater Taree is not eligible for that program because none of our many ailing timber bridges are on regional roads; they are all on local roads which don't normally qualify for State assistance. That is why we approached the Minister in the first place seeking special assistance.

Bulga Rd used to be "Regional Rd 109" until it was declassified in 1995, leaving it totally a Council responsibility, complete with two large timber bridges nearing their use-by dates, namely Marlee and Duffs. In the most recent NSW Road Classification Review, the Panel refused Council's request to reinstate Bulga Rd as a regional road as it was not considered important enough. Mr Campbell has reconfirmed this position in his letter.

Meanwhile, our Council were rejected by the Federal Government Defence Minister Senator John Faulkner in their request to borrow two of the nineteen surplus army bridges that are no longer needed by the Defence Force. It seems Council are now reluctant to fall back on any other temporary bridge option, and are hoping the community will make do with the 8 tonne Marlee Bridge until the permanent bridges are built.

TD8 have made it clear to Council that this is not what was resolved at the November 18 Council meeting, when Councillors agreed to borrow up to $1m for temporary solutions that would quickly restore the previous 25 tonne capacity. The current 8 tonnes still excludes many vehicles that are important for businesses, farmers and residents. However, a compromise between 8 tonnes and 25 tonnes could perhaps be negotiated.

Accordingly, we are inviting contact from anyone in the community who requires access for vehicles above 8 tonnes and is not content to use the detour for another 18 months to 2 years. Please contact td8actiongroup@gmail.com or phone 6550 4466 or 6550 5164. You should also make your needs known directly to Council's Executive Leader Asset Management, Mr Ron Posselt, 6592 5399.

BULGA ROAD CLOSURE – MARLEE BRIDGE

Greater Taree City Council wishes to advise that its contractor (NSW RTA) has the opportunity to finalise repairs to Marlee bridge that permitted the raising of the weight restrictions from 2 tonnes to 8 tonnes during December last year.
To undertake the programmed works a total road closure of Bulga Road at the Marlee Bridge is necessary on Tuesday 23 March and Thursday 25 March 2010, weather permitting.
It will be necessary for all vehicles to use the heavy vehicle detour as signposted during the period of closure.
Additional signs will be placed advising all motorists of the upcoming closure.
These programmed works are to finalise strengthening work that commenced prior to Christmas 2009 and will not increase the weight restrictions for general traffic above the current 8 tonne limit.
Access will be available to each bridge approach during the closure.
All enquiries regarding the works can be directed to Council’s Works Engineer or the Construction Field Co-ordinator on 6592 5199.

How to contact the PM

In the wake of last week's news reports on scandalous Defence Force extragavances, our mayor Paul Hogan is calling on the community to request the Prime Minister to allow civilian use of surplus Army bridges in locations of dire need, beginning with Marlee and Duffs Bridges on Tourist Drive 8 to Ellenborough Falls.

Greater Taree City Council made a formal application to the Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, for the use of two bridges out of the nineteen they learned were sitting unused in storage. Their application has received a negative reply from Senator Faulkner via Rob Oakeshott.

We suggested in the last posting that you all write to Senator Faulkner, but if you want to also email the PM, Kevin Rudd, you can go to the website:

www.pm.gov.au/PM_Connect/Email_your_PM

Are November's resolutions still good for the new year?

TD8 and GTCC had their first meeting of 2010, on 17 Feb. The good news is, the mayor has confirmed that in addition to the $1m of borrowings approved last November, Council is prepared to dedicate their entire annual bridge budget of $1.3m for the next two years (that's $2.6m) towards building two permanent bridges (estimated to cost $4.6m) to replace Marlee and Duffs Bridges. We are all still waiting for a reply from the Hon David Campbell, Minister for Transport, to GTCC's request for $2m in assistance, so if you haven't emailed him, it's still worth doing: david@campbell.minister.nsw.gov.au

You may have been wondering what's happening with the temporary bridges that Council promised us as a matter of urgency. We had investigated some costs and options ourselves - like the Gloucester bridge and the Unibridge - but then at a meeting in mid November, Council staff began to research and consider a new option: the Army bridge. This involved making a formal application to the Minister for Defence (Senator John Faulkner), under their "Defence Assistance to the Civil Community" policy, requesting that he authorise the lending or hiring out of two army bridges to GTCC. Council's engineers had learned that the Defence Department had some 19 bridges currently in storage that are now "surplus to requirement" because the design has now been superseded.

The bad news is, Senator Faulkner has declined to assist. Rob Oakeshott took the Council's submission to him personally in December, and Rob has assured us he will still continue to pursue this. TD8 also sent an email in February urging him to help us. Council had asked us not to publicise their quest for Army bridges, until a reply had been received. Now that it has, if you feel strongly that it is morally indefensible for a public department to sit on a glut of unused surplus resources while the public, whose taxes paid for these resources, so desperately needs them elsewhere, then do send an email to Senator the Hon John Faulkner: Defence.Minister@defence.gov.au

Meanwhile, although we now have 8t instead of 2t on Marlee Bridge, many vehicles, including Col and Carmel's milk tanker, are still excluded and have to use the detour. Time has been wasted with hopes pinned on an option that is evaporating, and any temporary bridge is going to take yet more time. Given that the recent repairs to Marlee Bridge proved to be quick, cost-effective, and made a significant improvement, we are asking Council to consider carrying out further repairs, ASAP, on both bridges, to the extent that they could provide satisfactory temporary access while the permanent bridges are fast-tracked. We have requested time frames and details of proposed temporary and permanent solutions, in writing, from Council, and will pass these on as soon as they are provided.

A little Christmas present from GTCC!

Greater Taree City Council have today issued a media release confirming that the load limit on Marlee Bridge will now be raised to 8 tonnes!

The 10 kph must remain to minimise impacts on the bridge, so please continue to observe this speed limit.

TD8 Action Group were pleased to see the crossbeam repairs treated as a matter of urgency, after originally hearing it would be January, then February. We pushed for a pre-Christmas response, knowing the kind of holiday traffic this tourist drive attracts over the peak season. Now, at least the 4WDs and campervans are able to cross safely and legally, as are ambulance and hopefully fire/emergency vehicles.

Many of you were there at the first public meeting when we were faced with Council's reluctance to spend any money on temporary measures. Now we have temporary repairs AND they are working on the temporary bridge as well. We should congratulate ourselves as a community for having raised the bar. We should also congratulate the Council for their responsiveness - they are all human too and could do with positive encouragement, so send an email: gtaree@gtcc.nsw.gov.au attention: All the Councillors, Graham Schultz, John Stuckey, and Gerard Jose.

Today's news makes a nice little Christmas present from GTCC to TD8 and all our Bulga Road communities!

Happy holidays.

From TD8 Action Group

TD8: Meeting Outcome with Hon Mr Campbell

Tuesday 15th December - the day had finally arrived for TD8 to meet with the Minister for Roads, Hon Mr Campbell in Sydney. A contingent of 8 headed south comprising of

- TD8 - Ken Cameron, David Marks, Colin Hurrell & Sandra Kwa
- GTCC - Mayor Paul Hogan, Graham Schultz & John Stuckey
- Hastings Council - Geoff Sharpe (Director of Infrastructure)

Mayor Hogan opened the discussion by outlining GTCC position and the dollars required to fund two permanent bridges for Marlee and Duffs. Mayor Hogan confirmed that

- GTCC are borrowing up to $1M for the temporary bridges
- Contribution over two years of $2.6M towards two permanent bridges

This means a total of $3.6M contribution from GTCC, thus requiring an amount $2M from the State Government towards the two permanent bridges. Less than a $1 for $1 contribution from the State, and we think a real bargain!

Sandra Kwa followed this discussion with a presentation of the Tourist Drive 8 Road, highlighting the many businesses and local sights and attractions. The presentation was left with the Minister for his further reading. This then lead onto the topic of reclassification of TD8to a regional road with Geoff Sharpe supporting from Hastings Council.

There is a thought from the group in attendance that reclassification may be a tough sell and at the very least a long term proposition. However we are continuing our investigations and will exhaust all possibilities.

In brief Hon Mr Campbell advised

- there may be dollars left over from the Timber Bridges Partnership Program, as some Councils had not proceded with their projects
- he would like this money to be spent prior to reverting back to Treasury (ie as at 30th June 2010)
- he would write to the RTA to obtain clarification of the Timber Bridges Partnership Program in order to understand whether Marlee and Duffs bridges are legible (as it appears that they are currently not), this obviously being an issue to receipt of funding

Otherwise the Hon Mr Campbell was non committal, and it is unlikely that the request for $2M will be reviewed and acted upon quickly, particularly with Christmas and the New Year upon us. There is also the real possibility that this money will not be forthcoming at all.

Although TD8 left the meeting with no commitment we certainly feel it is worth noting that a meeting with the Minister was held prior to Christmas and our issues raised and discussed with the relevant parties to hand. A real win by any standards.

TD8 will follow up late January 2010 with a view to further lobbying of Hon Mr Campbell and other relevant politicians, together with maintaining communication with GTCC on the bridges progress.

We wish to thank all in the community for their support, thoughts and advice over the last few months and wish you all a very Happy Christmas and safe New Year.