A ground-swell of community support is backing the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) proposal for road improvements on Waterfall Way.
A ‘pro-works’ petition is now circulating within the shire supporting the “proposed upgrade of Cameron’s Corner and Marx Hill on the grounds of safety and providing a flood free route between Bellingen and the Pacific Highway”.
One of those behind the petition, panel beater, Gary Bryant said it was time the silent majority stood up to the noisy minority.
“The message is being sent to the RTA that, however active and noisy the environmentalists are in putting their views across and trying to stop the works, there are many more of us that do want the works as planned by the RTA,” Mr Bryant said.
“Many former, and long term tow truck operators, including Mike Raymond, will tell of their experiences at Cameron’s Corner,” he said.
“The most common response from the towies is that the people trying to stop these works have only lived in this Shire for five minutes and have not got a clue on that corner’s history. It has been the scene of many, many serious accidents.”
Mr Bryant said that whilst the anti-works group had petitions around town, so did the pro-works group to help the RTA.
“The environmentalists must feel threatened by this, as one of their people tore pages from the RTA supporter’s petition at one venue. The signatures doubled after that spat of poor sportsmanship,” he said. Copies of the petition can be obtained from Mr Bryant on 6655 1273.
Meanwhile, the owner of the property affected by the Cameron’s Corner project, Bernard ‘Spot’ Smales says “the works are a done deal. The RTA has already purchased the land for the road works”.
Mr Smales said he was happy for the RTA to set up a camera on his property to monitor traffic on the corner. “Last Saturday, market day, would have been a good time for them to have a camera there to video cars and motor bikes overtaking over double lines around the corner.”
“The RTA is proposing to spend $3.5 million on Cameron’s Corner, but no-one can put a value on human life. What is one life worth compared to a couple of mongrel trees?” he asked.
Mr Smales, who has a Masters in Environmental Management, said that originally the RTA wanted to cut straight through the swamp. “I objected and told them I would have met them with a shotgun if they went ahead with that proposal.”
“But under this current plan, the number of trees being removed is probably point zero of one percent. The piece of forest involved doesn’t have any real water – only puddles. I can’t see what the problem is.”
Mr Smales said he was forever cleaning up along the road verges removing bottles, fast food wrappers and disposable nappies from his fence line.
“It’s taxpayers like me who are subsidising the parasites who are objecting so they can live the lifestyle they are now enjoying.”
The Project Manager, Paul Leonard denies the Cameron’s Corner project has been determined. “The RTA is currently investigating the impact of road works on the Swamp Sclerophyll Forest.”
“When completed, a review of environmental factors will be displayed for 21 days and the community will have the opportunity to comment,” Mr Leonard said. “Following consideration of community submissions, the RTA will finalise the proposal taking into account any issues raised.”
He said the current proposal was a balance between engineering, environmental and social issues.
Mr Leonard told the Courier-Sun that approximately 8,500 cubic metres of fill would be used to lift the road about the one-in-five year flood level. “It will require about eight months for road settlement to occur prior to undertaking the pavement works.”
Mr Leonard was one of three RTA officers who manned a display at Bellingen Council last Thursday (Nov 13).
The officers said the works being carried out on Waterfall Way were the result of a strategy developed by the four councils between Coffs Harbour and Armidale.
That strategy was developed several years ago by the Councils, including Bellingen, as a means of attracting funding for Waterfall Way.
The strategy identified works along Waterfall Way that required upgrading. These including the Dorrigo Mountain road section (which had been upgraded), bridges west of Dorrigo (St Helena and Four Mile) as well as Cameron’s Corner, Marx Hill and the section of road adjacent to Raleigh Dam.
One objector to the works said she believed Waterfall Way was being upgraded because of the number of semi-trailers and B-Doubles using the road. “I would prefer to see the money spent on over-taking lanes either side of Bellingen.”
Others said they did not want to see any of the Swamp Sclerophyll Forest destroyed. “It’s a magnificent stand of timber and a beautiful part of the Waterfall Way drive.”
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