Community members speak out on proposed Moss Vale Bypass

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Wingecarribee Shire Council is currently undertaking community consultation sessions, with the final session to be held on March 3.

The proposed Moss Vale bypass is in three stages.

Stage one would see the construction of a bridge over the railway line at Lackey Rd and McCourt Road, as well as the construction of a two-way road between Suttor Rd and Beaconsfield Rd.

Related: Tender for Moss Vale Bypass design announced

Stage two would create a new road from Headland Rd to stage one, as well as a roundabout at the Headland Rd and Argyle Rd intersection and the creation of a cul-de-sac at Suttor Rd.

Stage three of the Moss Vale Bypass would create a new road from Beaconsfield Rd to Berrima Rd.

According to documents on the Your Say Wingecarribee website, the design and detailed scoping of the project would take approximately two years.

"The construction phase of Stage 1 is currently not funded," the document said.

"One of the key outcomes of the investigation and design phase is to prepare a detailed cost estimate.

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"The council, with the assistance of the NSW Government, will seek grant opportunities to proceed with construction of Stage 1 as soon as possible following the completion of the design.

"The council is also exploring options to progress with the detailed design of Stage 2 and 3 to progress with the construction of these stages at the same time as Stage 1."

The council's Director of Service and Project Delivery, Ms Karin Targa, previously said the session would provide an opportunity for people to learn more about the project.

"This project is a crucial step in alleviating traffic congestion along Argyle Street and supports the development of the Southern Highlands Innovation Park," she said.

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However, not all residents agree.

Wingecarribee Shire Council independent candidate Rachel Russell said she didn't believe it was a viable solution to the traffic issues.

"The community is understandably upset because the council and the State Government are calling this road a 'Bypass' and a solution to traffic issues in Moss Vale," she said.

"It's like selling a chook as a golden goose. It's just not.

"We need authentic strategies and support from the council and the State Government to address traffic congestion in Moss Vale, not just decades-late funding for a raised railway crossing because Badgery's Creek is full and they want to open up our Industrial Zone."

Ms Russell said she did not suggest not building the road, but that she believed the community had been misled as to its capacity to address traffic congestion.

"It was and is designed to be a strategic link," she said.

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"Unless the State Government immediately come on board with support for the development and implementation of council's new Integrated Transport Strategy, Moss Vale will see an unprecedented traffic gridlock within a matter of a few short years."

A spokesperson for Wingecarribee Shire Council said the two community information sessions held on February 21 and 22 were "generally well-received."

"The vast majority of attendees were supportive of the proposed project and understood the need to progress concept designs for a bypass to alleviate traffic in and around Moss Vale," they said.

"The proposal presented to attendees is a major undertaking and if approved will take several years to complete.

"The council welcomes constructive discussion and has scheduled another community information session for Thursday, March 3 to further enable the community to see for themselves how the council plans to address the issue of increasing traffic in Moss Vale."

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