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- 19 June 2003
Coffs Harbour Bypass
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Page: 1768
Mr FRASER (Coffs Harbour) [4.34 p.m.]: I raise again this afternoon the issue of roads in the Coffs Harbour area, specifically the Coffs Harbour bypass. This issue has divided our community. The Government announced the bypass in an attempt to assist the then Australian Labor Party candidate, the mayor, in a Federal election campaign. As I have said before, the associated public consultation process has been a sham. I refer honourable members to a letter to the editor that appeared in today's edition of the Advocate. It concerns Tim Patterson, a Connell Wagner representative appointed by the Government, and Ken Oldfield, the then manager of the Pacific Highway project employed by the Roads and Traffic Authority. The letter states:
I refer to a letter to the editor by A. Jary published 26th May. The writer refers to the first public meeting in Woolgoolga called by the RTA to discuss the Woolgoolga bypass. It states "… a comment was made by one person that he had overheard a conversation between the RTA representatives on the flight to Coffs Harbour, but did not divulge what he heard."
I was the person on the flight referred to and the conversation was between a very senior RTA staff member and a senior staff member of Connell Wagner, the firm of consultant engineers employed by the RTA. The conversation started in the airport terminal and continued across the tarmac and on the plane until we reached Coffs Harbour.
Part of the conversation centred on how the RTA was going to achieve the decision on the upgrade route that they wanted. This would be the route that was the cheapest, would be politically best for the Minister, and hence favourable to the careers of parties involved. It would also be to the advantage of Connell Wagner, who were being paid a substantial fee for the project. If the RTA was pleased with the services of Connell Wagner on the project, there were other similar projects that Connell Wagner could benefit from.
The Connell Wagner staff member asked how they were going to control the public meetings and the public consultation process to achieve their desired results. This was explained to him by the RTA rep. including giving detailed examples of other projects where they had used particular strategies and tactics to successfully manipulate the residents and achieve the result they wanted.
They stated they had to have an apparent public consultation process so when the residents objected to their decision on the preferred route, they could justify their choice by saying that the community consultation process had been followed.
After hearing this conversation and attending the first public meeting, I was horrified of what the RTA staff (in conjunction with PlanningNSW) intended doing, and the underhand methods planned to achieve those plans. To attempt to achieve a fair outcome for Woolgoolga I became a member of the Woolgoolga Community Focus Group (CFG) and attended all meetings. I have also attended the Value Management Workshop, the Pacific Highway Planning Strategy Forum and many other meetings on the by-pass.
Unfortunately, during the last 18 months the actions of the RTA and Planning NSW have been in total accord with the plan discussed on that flight. The preferred route is the cheapest option. The fact that it will have a very severe impact on Woolgoolga, and its residents is not a factor that the Steering Committee thinks relevant. The ARUP report into the review process recommended that the Steering Committee have public representation on it to improve "transparency in the process". Council General Manager also recommended this. The RTA and Planning NSW have refused this recommendation. They do not want the residents to know what is going on in the decision making process. They have refused repeated attempts to have observers present.
The fact that the overwhelming majority of residents prefer another option is not considered. It is a long time before the next State election. However Council elections are only next year!
As I said earlier, this man is prepared to sign a statutory declaration. The government process, which is supposed to be transparent and in the interests of the people New South Wales, has been white-anted. I want the Minister to refer this issue to the Independent Commission Against Corruption [ICAC] or to some other body and to have it fully investigated.
Mr Orkopoulos: You do it.
Mr FRASER: I will refer this matter to the ICAC, just as I have referred matters to it in the past. When a senior official of the Roads and Traffic Authority [RTA] and someone employed by the Government conspire to pervert a public consultation process to save the Government money the matter should be referred to the ICAC. I call on the Minister to have this matter fully investigated and to ensure that this process is open and transparent. People in the Coffs Harbour electorate deserve better than they have been offered so far on this issue.
Miss BURTON (Kogarah—Parliamentary Secretary) [4.39 p.m.]: Time and again Opposition members make accusations about cover-ups and collusion. Opposition members quote from many documents that prove to be false. If the honourable member for Coffs Harbour has evidence to show that things are not being conducted correctly and that corruption is involved, he should refer the matter to the proper authorities and not make allegations in this House.
Mr Fraser: That letter was printed in the Coffs Harbour Advocate.
Miss BURTON: The honourable member is aware of the processes of this House. If he has any evidence of corruption he should refer the matter to the Independent Commission Against Corruption. We will see what occurs as a result. The honourable member for Coffs Harbour, under parliamentary privilege, makes allegations and tries to score political points because he cannot adequately represent his local electorate.
Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Mills) Order! The honourable member for Coffs Harbour has made his private member's statement. He should listen to the response of the Parliamentary Secretary.
Miss BURTON: If this matter is as serious as the honourable member is alleging, he should refer it to the proper authorities. He has been in this House long enough to know what processes have to be followed.
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