Detailed designs for proposed works at Cameron’s Corner and Marx Hill are now on display. An RTA spokesperson said the NSW Government has committed $8.5 million for the two projects. “These projects will deliver safe roads for motorists on the vital link connecting the seaboard and Coffs harbour District with the coastal hinterland of the Bellingen area, the tablelands of Dorrigo, Armidale and beyond,” the spokesperson said. “The work involves re-aligning Waterfall Way to improve safety on sub-standard curves and shoulder-widening. “This will benefit tourists, as well as industry and community members who access North West NSW, the Mid-North and the North Coast along this route. “The $3.5 million work on a 500m section of road at Cameron’s Corner will improve the curve and road alignment, as will the $5.3 million work on a one kilometre section at Marx Hill. “The projects were developed in 2004 and a draft Review of Environmental Factors (REFs) developed. Thee REFs are now being updated. All current environmental legislation is being taken into account finalising these projects. “As part of the Rees Government’s commitment to community consultation, the designs will be on display for public viewing at the following locations from Tuesday, November 11 to Friday, November 21.” • Bellingen Council, Hyde Street Bellingen • Australia Post, Bellingen • Ampol Service Station, Hammond Street, Bellingen • BP Australia, Hyde Street, Bellingen • Urunga Library, Bonville Street, Urunga • Dorrigo Library, Pine Street, Dorrigo RTA will staff the display at Bellingen Council on Thursday, November 13 from 2pm to 6pm toanswer questions about the proposals. The projects are part of the record $3.1 billion being invested in regional roads across NSW this financial year. Meanwhile, some residents of the Bellinger shire have been warned that despite assurances of consultation and the release of the REFs by the RTA, the endangered wetland of Cameron's Corner is still very much under threat. "The public should be under no illusions that this review will do anything other than sign the execution warrant of this the Bellinger Valley's most threatened Endangered Ecological Community," said spokesperson Tim Cadman. "In the most bizarre of public consultation methods, RTA has already announced that the wetlands will be bulldozed to make way for a road upgrade that residents have not even asked for. Even stranger still, residents can only make submissions on the understanding that there is no alternative to this destructive project," Mr Cadman said. Residents and business interests were travelling to Grafton on Tuesday, November 11 in a further attempt to try and communicate with RTA and to take a letter from local businesses calling for "meaningful consultation" on the proposed upgrade. "RTA continues to send out its message of spin that it has consulted with the community," Mr Cadman commented. "If it had, we wouldn't be forced into coming to the Northern Regional Office ourselves. We are appealing to RTA to do the right thing and meet the community publicly. The public is ready to listen, but does RTA have anything to say?" And, the State leader of the Nationals, Andrew Stoner has asked the Minister for Roads the following questions on notice: 1. Is the Minister aware that the original plans involve the bulldozing of a new road through a wetland area containing two endangered ecological communities at Cameron’s Corner and cutting across heritage values at Marx Hill? 2. Why has proper consultation with the community not been undertaken by the RTA? 3. Will the Minister delay the upgrade works until proper consultations and opportunity for input into upgrade options takes place?