Planning for the Milton Ulladulla Bypass is ramping up after extensive community consultation to help identify a preferred option for the critical upgrade.
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Between March 16 and April 13 2020, Transport for NSW (Transport) sought community feedback on the identified corridor for the Milton Ulladulla bypass as shown in the Shoalhaven Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and asked to hear about current experiences traveling to and along the Princes Highway in Milton and Ulladulla.
Submissions were received from individuals, community groups and government representatives, who provided feedback through: 90 emails 12 phone calls 590 comments on the online consultation map.
Over 40 percent of comments received related to route selection including feedback regarding the existing bypass corridor in the LEP and alternative route suggestions.
State Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock and Senator Jim Molan issued a joint press release on by-pass this week.
"Although an existing bypass corridor has been identified, a preferred corridor for the proposed Milton Ulladulla bypass has still not been decided," Mrs Hancock said.
"This (a preferred corridor) will be determined in the next planning phase with the existing bypass corridor and other corridor options considered as Arcadis Australia Pacific Pty Ltd -in partnership with Transport for NSW - undertakes the strategic investigation and design for the project."
Community members, as part of the consultation process, took the chance to raise concerns.
Concerns included:
- the impacts of an alternative further western alignment including: . environmental impacts to vulnerable and protected flora and fauna, areas of national park and native forest, and areas zoned as scenic protection.
- further western bypass would be unsuitable and unsafe, as the topography is steep, and land is prone to wind, fog and would require extensive earthworks.
- significant impacts to farmers, landowners and critical primary production land.
- amenity impacts for rural landowners including traffic noise.
- a western bypass would not ease congestion and visitors would not stop in town if the bypass route is too far west and impacts to cyclists who use the area.
Related:
The community, according to Transport NSW will get the chance to make further comment
"The community will also have further opportunities to have their say and provide feedback as the project progresses, including on the preferred bypass route and on the concept design and environmental assessment of the preferred bypass route," a statement in the Milton Ulladulla bypass Community Consultation Report August 2020 read.
Senator Jim Molan said the Milton Ulladulla Bypass will remove the need for vehicles to pass through 20 separate intersections, reducing travel times and busting congestion for local motorists, tourists and transport operators - particularly during peak holiday periods.
"The Australian Government is backing projects to improve our highways and local roads across NSW and the nation to increase productivity, improve safety and support our local communities at a time when it is needed most," Senator Molan added.