The practicality of achieving a structurally sound bridge at this locality and a two-lane sealed road for the announced funding of $16 million or for the previously announced estimate of $19.5 million is not realistic.

It is claimed the link will improve safety, attract increased tourism and reduce the distance from Orange to Newcastle by 100 kilometres.

This latter claim in particular highlights the lack of sustainable specifics on this project as the distance from Orange to Newcastle via Long Point and Mudgee is 30 kilometres longer than via the all sealed link through Bathurst, Sofala, Ilford, Rylstone and Bylong.

Tourists coming to our region already have a road trail linking the many and varied highlights of our region.

Coming from Sydney they can proceed from Bathurst through Sofala, Hill End, Mudgee, Gulgong, Wellington, Molong and then to Orange.

A route cutting through the middle of this loop potentially discourages visitation to the attractions in some of these localities.

There are numerous engineering issues associated with construction of the link. Firstly, the bridge across the Macquarie River will need to of sufficient strength and height to resist the torrent of water and debris carried in floods past Dixons Long Point.

Secondly, the existing narrow road will have to be widened to two lanes in steep and rocky terrain - not a cheap engineering construction exercise. The grades produced will not be conducive to either caravans or heavy vehicles.

To further complicate the issue, significant lengths of the existing road are on private property and not in the gazetted road reserve. The environmental impact assessment and civil design for the project will also be extensive.

When the overall link is assessed and not just a narrow focus on the river crossing, the funding needed to provide the bridge, acquire the necessary road corridors, undertake the Environmental Assessment and project design and construct and seal a two-lane road is likely to be well in excess of $50 million.

When there is a crying need for improvement of the existing road network, should such significant funds be committed to this project with doubtful benefit to tourism or strategic transport connection?

This funding would be better spent on the link over the Blue Mountains which would have far greater potential to attract tourists and commerce to our region than the Orange-Mudgee road link.

Alternatively, if a river crossing only is the prime objective, perhaps a better solution is to provide one on top of a dam at the location - an urban water supply dam to assist secure water supply to Orange and the Central West through the developing inter regional water supply pipeline network.

Regards,