SHOALHAVEN RIVER, NOWRA, BRIDGE CROSSING FEASIBILITY STUDY
Page: 2159
Mrs HANCOCK (South Coast) [6.18 p.m.]: I speak about a third bridge crossing over the Shoalhaven River at Nowra. I have great sympathy for the residents of the South Coast and, in particular, those who need to use the bridges crossing the Shoalhaven River. For too long the bridge crossings have been inadequate to cope with increased traffic volumes in the area, and in peak tourist times the bridges provide just one of a parcel of disincentives to travellers wishing to travel south along the Princes Highway to tourist havens beyond.
After the community applied considerable pressure to the Carr Labor Government and to the then local member, Wayne Smith, the Hon. Carl Scully made a rare visit to the South Coast electorate to announce that a feasibility study would be completed within 12 months. This pre-election promise was made just days before the March election and, despite some cynical reactions from the community, the promise was clear. The Minister recognised that a medium to long-term approach to the traffic problems in Nowra needed to begin immediately to achieve satisfactory outcomes. That was the reason for the feasibility study.
The problems of the two bridge crossings are serious. The oldest of the two bridges was constructed in the latter half of the nineteenth century. Questions have been raised about its foundations, which are of great concern to the community considering traffic volumes on the bridge. The second bridge was constructed more than 20 years ago and is also proving to be grossly inadequate. The solutions to these serious problems will require the vision and determination of a Government that thinks beyond four-year terms and begins now to plan strategically for traffic solutions in the Nowra area generally. Growth and development pressure on the South Coast require that we plan for the long term and not wait for the crises that are inevitable when transport infrastructure facilities are not addressed by government.
I asked a question on notice in my second week in this place and waited patiently for what I hoped would be a commitment to the Minister's promise regarding the Shoalhaven River bridge crossing. The answer I finally received was remarkable. It stated that the feasibility study is a matter for the local council and the Roads and Traffic Authority [RTA]. I could hardly believe the stupidity of that reply given the pre-election promise made by the Minister. Of course, this is not a matter for Shoalhaven City Council, although it is considering the problem. This is a State Government problem and it should direct the RTA immediately to commence the feasibility study for this project. The ball is in the State Government's court and I am awaiting an announcement about the Government keeping faith with the people of the South Coast. On his whirlwind visit to the South Coast, the Minister correctly identified that the feasibility study he promised would be the first stage of addressing the river crossings. He stated:
The investigation would also look at possible locations and styles of bridges, and traffic routes.
That is visionary stuff. I look forward now to a commitment from this Government that it will proceed posthaste, immediately and right now with this pre-election promise and get on with the feasibility study so that the people of Nowra, who must constantly cross the two bridges—one of which is old and almost beyond repair with serious pylon problems because it was built in the late nineteenth century—have some hope that perhaps within 10 years they will get a third river crossing. I am not asking for a commitment to that now; I am simply asking for a start to the feasibility study. That is the first step and it does not involve huge expenditure. I ask for a commitment to that pre-election promise made by the Carr Government.