Goulburn Mulwaree's Mayor slams RMS over Auburn St

The RMS advised the council earlier in the week that it wouldn’t transfer ownership of Auburn Street in exchange for Sloane Street due to the cost of bringing the latter “up to standard.”

The letter, from RMS Southern Region acting director Mitchell Judd, has surprised Cr Kirk and council executive, who understood they had an in-principle agreement for the swap. The Mayor said he was extremely frustrated by the decision.

“(It) came out of the blue after what we thought were positive negotiations over the past three years,” he said.

“I have to be frank in saying that the decision is an example of disrespect from the RMS which has now continued to pass the cost of heavy traffic onto the council.” 

The swap was designed to give the council greater control over Auburn Street, particularly with beautification works. It also recognised that most heavy vehicles now used Sloane Street, following the bypass, despite Auburn Street being classified as a State road. Cr Kirk said the council estimated that 90 per cent of heavy traffic used Sloane Street.

“This means we cover the cost of this impact on our road network,” he said.

“...Goulburn was bypassed 27 years ago; heavy vehicles have used the Sloane Street alternate route for those 27 years and the road surface has withstood the impact of that additional transport. Yet the RMS argue that Sloane Street is not up to standard for such traffic and still see the need to have their designated route through our main shopping area – it is a disgrace.” 

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Goulburn Mulwaree Council negotiates Auburn St ownership

General manager Warwick Bennett told The Post several months ago he was confident, given negotiations to date, that the road swap would happen by June.

But late Friday, following this newspaper’s questions, the RMS appeared to contradict the advice given to the council.

“RMS stands by its in-principle agreement with Goulburn Mulwaree Council over the road swap arrangements in Goulburn and is continuing its good faith negotiations with the council executive. No decisions have been made at this time,” a spokeswoman said.

But for Cr Kirk there was no confusion. He said while the letter from Mr Judd discussed responsibility for several roads in Goulburn, it expressly stated that the cost of upgrading Sloane Street meant it could not be considered for a road swap “at this time.”

“I’m construing this as the final agreement,” he said.

“The RMS has no funding for it…They’re saying if Sloane Street was of an acceptable standard, they would reconsider. They’re trying to make Goulburn pick up the cost to let main road traffic use their road.

“Our argument is it’s up to standard because these vehicles are using it now...It’s a bad and sad outcome and is a bureaucratic asset management tick-a-box exercise.”

The Mayor has already taken up the matter with Goulburn MP Pru Goward, who he said undertook to raise it with Roads Minister Melinda Pavey.

The RMS has however stated that it was “committed to working with the council in addressing Auburn Street’s beautification in line with council and RMS strategies.” Cr Kirk said the extent of this cooperation was an unknown.

The Authority did not answer several of The Post’s questions including whether it would help fund Sloane Street’s upgrade and whether it would now extend greater flexibility to the council regarding Auburn Street improvements. Currently, the council must seek permission for significant changes. The RMS also dictates the nature of some signage. 

The council has also challenged RMS over the fact that only Queanbeyan/Palerang and Upper Lachlan Councils were contracted to maintain Crookwell and Braidwood Roads, even though sections fell in Goulburn Mulwaree. It also wants to vie for the work.

Cr Kirk said before his time, the council had decided not to tender for this contract. Upper Lachlan and the then Palerang Council won the right and they had remained on the list ever since. But in recent years Mr Bennett has been talking to the RMS about Gouburn Mulwaree Council doing work within its boundary.

“When the contracts came up for renewal, we asked to be included as an approved contractor,” the Mayor said.

“They renewed Upper Lachlan’s and Palerang’s contract but not us. It was not an open process; they just made the decision.

“...RMS has made the statement that it will increase their overheads by 15pc if they have to issue a contract for these roads to (us).

“Would it not be in the best interest of the taxpayer that all the work on State Roads be placed out for public tender as opposed to behind the scenes negotiations?”