GUNNEDAH Shire Council has raised serious concerns about the future of the second rail overpass project, following a cost blowout which is believed to have crept past $40 million.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The state government this week announced $4 million in the Budget for the project, which was originally announced in 2012 at a cost of $16 million.
Council has expressed its disappointment with the funding announcement, with hopes the government’s chequebook would have delivered more.
“We’re a bit concerned that the $4 million is obviously not going to deliver this project in the foreseeable future and we’d like to know what is going to be delivered with this $4 million and what timeframe they have on a project that is now four years old,” Gunnedah Mayor Owen Hasler said.
Following numerous community consultation sessions, the preferred option for the overbridge is west of the Gunnedah Maize Mill - connecting the Oxley Highway roundabout with a now-completed new roundabout at the intersection of Conadilly and Warrabungle streets.
Access from the overpass to Barber Street to ensure the prosperity of local businesses was critical and eventually included.
Council General Manager Eric Groth said the main concern at the moment is the blowout in costs and if Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) may look to sacrifice that street access for the project to go ahead or may reconsider the project entirely.
Council has now called for a meeting with RMS and state MP Kevin Anderson.
“We believe the blowout is essentially not due directly to Barber Street. What we’re trying to establish in the meeting with RMS and Kevin is what the reason for those blowouts are so we can ensure Barber Street isn’t taken off the table due to something else like drainage,” Mr Groth said.
RMS couldn’t confirm an updated cost but said an estimate is “being developed.” Mr Anderson said today he is confident the project will go ahead as planned with the preferred route.
