STAUNCH opponents of King George V Ave’s use as a second access point to Calala are pushing for a controversial report to be expanded to consider other options.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Councillors Juanita Wilson and Mark Rodda will urge their colleagues on Tuesday night to widen the scope of a recently agreed upon report to include alternative routes.
Earlier this month, councillor James Treloar drew the ire of many residents when he declared the
historic avenue the only option for reducing traffic congestion in Calala. The veteran councillor requested Tamworth Regional Council staff produce a report identifying the private land council would need to purchase for a second lane. Two traffic studies associated with the 500-lot Peel River Estate development have warned n From page 1
of the need to solve future traffic congestion issues in Goonoo Goonoo Rd and Scott Rd. But the report’s narrow scope did not sit comfortably with Crs Wilson and Rodda and they have a lodged a notice of motion calling for the investigation of all feasible options.
Cr Wilson said the council should not even consider taking the drastic step of resuming parts of landholders’ properties until all alternatives had been investigated.
“We can’t go to the people with real integrity and claim King George V Ave is the best alternative if we’ve only considered one option. I subscribe to the theory that there are some very viable alternatives and my personal choice is to join to Scott Rd and come across so the road is not traversing the floodplain,” she said.
Cr Rodda said Tamworth residents had made it abundantly clear they wanted the amenity of the entire oak-lined road area – and not just the trees – preserved.
“I’m personally opp- osed to King George V Ave being utilised as an option for access to Calala,” he said.
“I’d be very surprised if the notice of motion doesn’t get the support required of at least five councillors to proceed. Surely we should be widening the scope of the report so we can consider all options to Calala to ensure we’re providing the people of Calala with the best possible access.”
Cr Treloar said he would support the motion, but only if it came as a “separate report” to the one he requested at the last meeting.
“I’m looking forward to it. Show me the alternatives. We can then come up with the best option for traffic and once we have that we can proceed,” he said.
