Pacific Highway update
Highways are the big news in Ballina Shire, in the north, south and west.
Some landowners in the southern areas around Wardell are devastated by the RTA’s proposed route for the Pacific Highway upgrade.
Looking north, residents in the Tintenbar-Newrybar area are awaiting the RTA’s decision on its preferred route for that part of the highway upgrade.
And a bold plan by Ballina’s State MP, Don Page, to have an inland route constructed to take heavy traffic from the scenic coastal route has met with opposition and support, although Ballina Shire Council at its December meeting voted against publicly supporting the idea.
Some residents of Casino, where the route would pass, supported the idea, believing it would increase business in the town.
Others questioned the route’s impact on agricultural land.
At the Ballina Shire meeting, Cr Sharon Cadwallader lodged a notice of motion calling on the council to ask the State Government to assess the vialiblity of Mr Page’s plan.
She described the motion as a ‘last-ditch’ effort to send a message to the State Roads Minister, but said she still supported the highway upgrade and Ballina bypass.
Cr Keith Johnson opposed the motion, saying the cost of distribution of transported goods from an inland freight centre would be too much.
The motion was lost.
Amid all the bad news came a plan by Ballina Mayor Phillip Silver to fast-track the Alstonville bypass in the west of the shire. He has asked the Federal Government to double its commitment of $12 million, and wants the NSW State Government to cover lands acquisition costs. Ballina Shire would construct the bypass.
Any person who uses the Bruxner Highway in morning and afternoon peak traffic , and residents of Alstonville, will behoping that Cr Silver is on a winner with his plan.
Click here to find out more on the proposed RTA Pacific Highway Upgrade
