COFFS Coast mayors and MPs have met in State Parliament to continue lobbying for safer access to the Dorrigo Plateau and New England.
City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams said the meeting was to “bring back in focus an alternate route to Waterfall Way and upgrades to Dorrigo Way”.
“With Waterfall Way being closed four times in three months and traffic being forced onto local roads not built for this purpose, we have seen continued disruption, safety concerns and tragic outcomes,” Bellingen Mayor Steve Allan said.
Joining the mayors in presenting their case to the Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison, were Cowper MP Pat Conaghan, Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh and Oxley MP Michael Kemp.
Funding is being sought to:
– Rehabilitate landslip-damaged roads on the Dorrigo plateau
– Progress conversations about a reliable alternative route between Dorrigo and the coast – a need made clear by the recent severe weather events.
Mr Conaghan said, “With the recent events and continual isolation of the Plateau communities, we need to push through all levels of government to secure the right funding and solutions.
“I will be continuing these discussions in Canberra as soon as Parliament recommences.”
Cr Allan warned there is no easy solution.
“While this is a big project and understandably will take time, it has to begin with discussions such as this.”
By Sue STEPHENSON
