No change for Collector bridge

Crookwell Gazette | 22 July 2010

A MOVE by Cr. Mike Coley to delay a decision on the Collector bridge replacement was defeated at last Upper Lachlan Council meeting at Crookwell.

Cr. Coley had sought a deferral on a final decision on the replacement in order to present the Collector community with two alternative structures.

He based this on an opinion by the Heritage Branch of the NSW Department of Planning that there may be design options "more sympathetic to the bridge's surrounds."

He moved that Council defer a decision until its August meeting; provide sketch plans for two alternative structures to the Collector Community Association; and with the Association convene a public meeting to consider community views.

Supporting his motion, Cr. Coley said the bridge replacement was a "very contentious matter in Collector."

"In no way am I opposed to the destruction of the existing bridge.

"But a Collector meeting felt that no plan (of the proposed replacement) had been sighted, and without this no real consultation could occur. "I've not seen a plan, and I'd like to."

Works Director Mr. Phil Newham responded that he felt Council could have consulted better with the community. "I don't have a problem still going back to the community," he said. "We have already ordered components for the new structure, but there is an opportunity to explain it more clearly."

Cr. James Wheelwright opposed the move. "All it would do would be to delay construction of the culvert. We can't turn the clock back a hundred years. If we go back to the community it could delay progress for two or three months, and still end up the same."

Cr. Mick Mayoh: "It would not be sensible to replace the bridge with a similar structure, we have to have a culvert. "There is still concern in Collector, and this is an opportunity to go the extra yard in further consultation."

Mr. Newham suggested an inspection of the site with residents to clarify the difference between a causeway and a culvert.

Works Manager Mr. Peter Mowle agreed consultation could have been more extensive, and there had been an apparent difference in interpretation of what Council intended.

He said he was "happily" go to a meeting of residents to allow them to look at the plans of the multi-celled culvert that was to be built. The effect of heavy traffic vibrations on nearby buildings would also be considered.

Cr. Brian McCormack: "It will have to be made quite clear to residents that we've budgeted an amount of money and I believe the job has to be done within that budget."

Cr. Malcolm Barlow; "If the Collector meeting is to make it clear what we're doing I'm in favour of it; if it means starting over again I'm against."

Cr. Coley's motion for the delay was defeated, with only Crs. Coley, Sandra Bill and Mayoh in favour.

Council then carried a motion that sketch plans for the proposed structure be made available for inspection by the Collector community.

Mr. Mowle said he was prepared to have the plans available for a period of three hours from 6.00 p.m. and to be available for a full explanation of what was intended.

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