Member for Burrinjuck Katrina Hodgkinson has asked the question pondered by scores of people who commute from Yass to Canberra each day: where is the $20 million promised by the Federal Government during the election campaign for remedial work on the Barton Highway?
Ms Hodgkinson said the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) staff, who are pursuing planning and land acquisition using funds provided by the previous Howard government, have informed her that the RTA has received no Federal funds for increased safety work on the Barton Highway.
“Almost a year after the Federal Election and five months after the Rudd Labor government budget, there is still no sign of the $20 million promised for the Barton Highway during the election campaign,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“On Wednesday November 21, 2007 Yass Valley residents saw the Federal ALP Member for Fraser stand on the Barton Highway and solemnly promise to deliver $20 million in Auslink funds to improve safety on this dangerous road.”
A spokesperson from the RTA told the Yass Tribune the 2008 Federal Budget allocated $18.95 million in 2008/09 for the Barton Highway. The spokesperson did not comment on whether or not this money had been received by the RTA but confirmed a safety review of the Barton Highway had been completed to assist the Federal Government in considering short-term needs of the notorious stretch of road.
Federal Member for Hume Alby Schultz said the $20 million is still there – as far as he knows. Mr Schultz was unable to seek clarification from the RTA but said he was not aware of any missing money.
“I am trying to get information from the RTA and I will be approaching the Federal Minister for Roads for confirmation,” Mr Schultz said.
Concerned Gounyan Road resident Gerald Longley raised the alarm following discussions with an RTA representative who visited his property regarding the removal of trees. Mr Longley said the discussions suggested the $20 million was not yet forthcoming and that nothing was to be done fronting his property ‘Merrimba,’ which is located along the dangerous ups and downs of the Gounyan Curves.
“It seems nothing is to be done fronting ‘Merrimba’. Work is to compromise a by-pass of the Gounyan Road in its present form and of the dangerous passing lane on its Northern approach.
“I expressed my absolute disappointment to the RTA representative and assured him that I felt the people of Yass and beyond would also feel let down by the lack of interest displayed and the absolute disregard for the safety of the people who travel this notoriously dangerous road.”
In response to Mr Longley’s concerns, the RTA spokesperson said environmental and geotechnical investigations for improvement options at Gounyan Curves have begun.
“The RTA has completed a safety review of the Barton Highway to assist the Federal Government in considering short-term needs of the Highway,” the spokesperson said.
“The review identified three high priority sites that would benefit from short term improvements; Capricorn corner 28 kilometres north of Canberra, Gounyan Curves 6.5km north of Murrumbateman and the intersection of the Highway and Gundaroo Road immediately south of Murrumbateman.”
The spokesperson revealed detailed design plans for the proposed improvements are currently being prepared.
“Proposed improvements for these three locations are being developed in consultation with the Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.”
Ms Hodgkinson concluded the remedial work promised by the Federal Government last year was a matter of urgency.
“This is a dangerous road that needs to be fixed – fixed quickly and completely.
“The Rudd Government must start by announcing the immediate full duplication of the Barton Highway, and start by allocating emergency funds for the several danger black spots that the RTA has already identified as needing immediate attention,” Ms Hodgkinson concluded.
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