BEYOND FRUSTRATION FOR OUR VISITORS’ EXPERIENCE

Mayors across the region have expressed their disappointment hearing reports there were an extra 3- 5 hours added to visitors’ journeys over the Easter long weekend.

“It’s frustrating to hear, and it affects our reputation, we don’t want to deter folk from coming back, we need to fast track a safe swift link from Sydney to Central NSW” said Mayor John Medcalf OAM

“Currently the Bells Line of Road is either closed or open to one lane, and while we welcome the $2.5 billion spend on the Great Western Highway improvements, the community along the GWH can’t be happy with the gridlock situation either.” said Mayor John Medcalf OAM

The Central NSW JO Councils are seeking to work with the Western Sydney Councils and key stakeholders for solutions before the next Federal election. “The many existing State and Federal transport plans acknowledge the need for a safe swift link in the longer term – whenever that is.  For over a decade NSW Regional Transport Plans have talked about a long term solution, but we are no closer.’ said Mayor John Medcalf OAM

While the immediate issue is to enable tourism, a safe swift link is required for freight and the economic development of this region. “Looking at the recent flooding events in Western Sydney we know that they need better evacuation routes. At the moment we have a corridor for a future upgrade ending in the Nepean. That is hardly a flood evacuation route,” said Mayor John Medcalf OAM

“We need a time frame, and action now, that we can support in achieving that timeframe” said Mayor John Medcalf OAM 

“In the meantime we need to work with our friends and relatives in Sydney to encourage them to stay an extra night or two to avoid the traffic jam in both directions,” said Mayor John Medcalf OAM