Peninsula Community Access Edition 294
News Phone 4325 7369 Fax 4339 2307
25 June 2012
Chamber calls for Woy Woy Rd review Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has called on Gosford Council to reconsider the alignment of Woy Woy Rd at Bulls Hill amid fears that work on Woy Woy Rd will coincide with the reconstruction of the West Gosford intersection. “The business community, commuters and residents can’t afford to have Woy Woy Rd closed and the West Gosford intersection carved up at the same time,” said Chamber president Mr Matthew Wales. “We are hoping that both the State Government, who are funding the project, and Gosford Council, who will manage the project, will see the logic of reviewing the current process and timing. “Otherwise we can all expect chaos on our major entry roads to the Peninsula,” said Mr Wales. “The Chamber has strongly urged the Council to reconsider the alternative road alignment through the National Park and the old Nichols Quarry so that the existing carriageway can remain open while the new underpass and road deviation are under construction. “To date, Council has chosen to push on with the design and costing of the adopted Woy Woy Rd scheme which is estimated to cost $67 million in total. “The current adopted scheme for Woy Woy Rd is likely to see the closure of the road for at least 12 months as it proposes the duplication of Bulls Hill with two lanes in both direction. “This will involve major road works with significant excavation of the Bulls Hill escarpment.” Mr Wales said that, while the Chamber welcomed the announcement of $17 million to be spent on the West Gosford intersection, it was concerned about the timing of the project. “Roads and Maritime Services has advised the Chamber that the property acquisition process and demolition works at the West Gosford intersection should be well advanced by mid-2013 and we would imagine this phase of the project should be completed by early
2014. “This would indicate that, funding permitted, road construction works could be underway later next year. “This is similar timing to the proposed Woy Woy Rd rail underpass and Bulls Hill reconstruction which the State Government committed to completing the first phase by 20142015. “The Chamber has been advised that the RMS did not favour the Option 8 proposal because of the difficulty of gaining the necessary approvals through the Brisbane Water National Park. “It is our view that due to the cost and logistics of duplicating the Bulls Hill carriageway, the Option 8 proposal should at least be reviewed so that an up-to-date assessment can be made. “The Chamber has since been advised that the cost to undertake the design investigations for the rail underpass could now be as much as $3M with the current $1M allocation from the State Government being insufficient to complete these works. “Further, the cost to construct the rail underpass alone is estimated at $35M. “Whilst the Chamber supports the project in principle, the cost/benefit would have to be questionable at these estiamted rates”. Media Release, 14 Jun 2012 Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
Dunban Road
Woy Woy Rd
The Bays Area
Hillview Street
Railway Line
Map showing the Option 8 bypass of The Bays favoured by Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
Riding school ‘not at capacity’ Bensville Riding School director Ms Chantelle Allaries has rejected a claim by a competing business that her riding school was “operating to capacity”. The claim was made in a development application for another riding school in the area. “This is absolutely false and misleading and is an allegation put forward by the applicants as
part of their submission,” said Ms Allaries. “The potential for damage to my business is already evident with four current clients already questioning availability for lessons for their friend’s children. “My riding school has operated for over 20 years and we pride ourselves in our continuing high standards of riding tuition and safety. “Many students are competing
at state and national level with many successes for riders and horses trained at my facilities. “We have many discounts and deals for students to enable many children to experience horse activities,” said Ms Allaries. Peninsula News incorrectly attributed the claim to council staff in an article in its June 11 edition, “Council supports horse riding school”. While the claim was contained
in a report which was prepared by Council staff, the report at that point was describing the applicant’s submission. Email, 20 Jun 2012 Chantelle Allaries, Bensville Riding School Page 3: MOVE AWAY FROM SPOT REZONING
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