ROAD RAGE: Orange City councillor Fiona Rossiter believes the southern access link needs to be built now to ease the burden on residential roads crumbling under pressure from extra traffic. Photo: JEFF DEATH 0723jdrossiter
ORANGE councillor Fiona Rossiter has called on the state government to contribute funds to the southern access link to ease the burden on damaged residential roads she says are crumbling under pressure from extra traffic.
“The ratepayers are affected because they pay to repair residential roads that lead to a state facility,” she said.
“I think enough is enough ... this isn’t about passing the buck, this is about getting action now.”
Cr Rossiter said there were potholes on most streets leading to the Orange Health Service but named Gardiner Road, Franklin Road, Warrendine Street and Moulder Street as some of the worst.
“A motion was passed through council to form a delegation to visit MP Duncan Gay and MP Andrew Gee with supporting evidence seeking a commitment of funding to build the southern access link,” she said.
She said the health service, industrial estate, Cadia mine, Rural Fire Service, and tourism areas such as Gosling Creek and the airport were all increasing traffic flow in the area - reinforcing the need for better road infrastructure to the south.
Cr Rossiter said she highlighted the issue with Roads Minister Duncan Gay at the transport forum earlier this year, but to date no action had been taken.
State member for Orange Andrew Gee said he had not received a request from council for a meeting but would arrange one if asked.
“Fiona Rossiter hasn’t raised this issue with me ever,” he said.
“If councillors are really serious about this they wouldn’t just make statements to the press about it, they’d put the request in the proper form.
“Anyone would think there was a council election coming up.”
He said Mr Gay had committed to helping with Huntley Road even though he had no obligation to do so, and the state government had been “very generous” in contributing $100,000 to upgrade Peisley Street.
“Health Infrastructure and other parties are developing plans for roads around the hospital,” Mr Gee said.
Council spokesman Nick Redmond said council wrote to Mr Gay and Mr Gee yesterday.
The council has budgeted $1.9 million to upgrade the Forest Road and Huntley Road intersection in 2012/13 and $2.2 million to connect Anson Street to the southern feeder road in 2013/14.
Mr Redmond said Health Infrastructure, Roads and Maritime Services, Cadia Valley Operations and council were still negotiating how much each party would contribute.
