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- 2 March 2005
Bangor Bypass
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Page: 14518
Ms ALISON MEGARRITY (Menai—Parliamentary Secretary) [5.27 p.m.]: Honourable members would be well aware of a road construction project in my electorate called the Bangor bypass. I have spoken about many different aspects of the design and construction of this road and its importance to the residents of the greater Menai area. Therefore, it is with great delight that I formally advise the House of the official opening of the major section of the bypass known as stage one, on Sunday 6 February. From my first moment as the candidate for the new seat of Menai I have been well aware of the community's desire and expectations in relation to the bypass. It is fair to say, however, that prior to the start of construction there was a degree of cynicism about the bypass due to the fact that candidates in previous elections had not delivered on their campaign promises to provide the road.
I certainly did not doubt the undertaking given to me by the Premier and the then Minister for Roads on this point. However, in light of my subsequent experience of the complexities associated with the project's design and public consultation processes, I now have some appreciation of the impediments that probably confronted others in my position. Despite significant obstacles along the way, however, this is a situation about which I am pleased to advise that the Carr Government has been able to exceed our initial commitment. The design originally proposed for the bypass was a road running from east to west, at an estimated cost of $36 million. As honourable members would be well aware, my community strongly rejected many aspects of the design of the east-west link and significant modifications were made to the design. Of course, that also significantly increased the projected cost.
In addition, the community felt that the road needed to have a north-south link, and that a north-south link should be included in the environmental impact statement for the project. I take this opportunity once again to acknowledge the former Minister for Roads, the Hon. Carl Scully, for listening to my representations on so many aspects of this project. I appreciate that all these modifications had a significant impact upon the budget for his portfolio. The Minister also embraced the opportunity to advance the construction of the northern section of the north-south link to coincide with the completion of the east-west link.
As I mentioned earlier, the official opening was on Sunday 6 February. It was a big day for my community. It was a fitting culmination of years of hard work by many people, including the Roads and Traffic Authority [RTA] and Abigroup, the contractors. However, the dedication of the resident members of the project's community liaison group and residents who live alongside the route of the bypass and, therefore, patiently endured everyday life in a construction zone should also be acknowledged.
The celebration was organised by the RTA, and invaluable assistance was provided by Menai Lions. I particularly acknowledge Michael Stevens. He is a tireless worker for his community. In the lead-up to the opening of the bypass he compacted his working week so that he could devote his efforts to the event in a full-time capacity. On the day, a large amount of funds, I believe in excess of $12,000, was raised for the local Rural Fire Service. Honourable members can appreciate the critical role of these people in the Menai electorate.
It is true, as predicted by RTA engineers, that there have been some teething problems in the weeks since the opening of the bypass. Traffic on Menai Road can still be hectic, especially in peak hour. The school drop-off and pick-up times are worthy of note. There are a number of schools in the vicinity of Menai Road, and it is my fervent hope that our community might come to some arrangement about staggering the hours of operation of one or more of those schools. More consultation is needed on that point.
Not every person or community group was entirely happy about every aspect of the final design of the bypass. More work still has to be done. Post-opening noise monitoring will be undertaken and some noise walls are still to be completed. The southern section of the north-south link of the bypass, known as stage two, will have ongoing design work and consultation. The Carr Government will deliver on its commitment to provide the whole bypass. Members of the community will be anxious to have this work completed along with the work already opened.
There is always more work to be done. I have seen the design for the duplication of the Alfords Point Bridge, and my community looks forward to having that work done. The Carr Government is committed to starting construction work on the duplication of the bridge within this term, and I hope the work proceeds as quickly as possible so that the improvements my community have already experienced will continue. My community has suffered from a backlog of these works, and I am proud to say that the Carr Government is delivering, and will continue to deliver, on the commitments made to the people of the Menai community.
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