More developments at Run-O-Waters and Goulburn generally beg 'big sky' thinking about a ring road for the city, say some councillors.
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The matter came to a head at the most recent meeting at which councillors were given an update on a second access for Run-O-Waters.
The matter has been ongoing for several years, given complaints from residents that a single access, via Ducks Lane, was inadequate, especially during emergencies. Congestion at south Goulburn, around the service centres, has also highlighted the urgency of another access.
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General manager Warwick Bennett said the main option was a link from Pockley Road, off Ducks Lane, over to Mary Street at west Goulburn. The council has been in discussion with a Shannon Drive developer for more than a year about the road forming part of a residential subdivision.
Costing is underway on this option, which is preferred due to its "shorter" 900 metre length. However it is estimated to cost $1.4 million, including acquisition and stormwater management. The money is allocated in the 2021/22 budget. Anything beyond kerbing and stormwater, such as lighting, utility services and footpaths, could be perceived as a direct subsidy to the developer, the GM reported.
"Whichever option is chosen, it will be recommended that the standard for a second access road will be two by 3.5 metre travel lanes plus roll-over kerb. This is similar to the Pockley Drive construction," Mr Bennett said.
The alternative access will be discussed at a councillor briefing session. But Deputy Mayor Peter Walker successfully argued that the council should also consider a ring road from Run-O-Waters to Gurrundah Road on to Middle Arm Road, with potential access to the Hume Highway.
Councillors explored this possibility in a briefing session last October but Cr Walker said it should be considered with the Run-O-Waters access.
"I think we need to be clear on why we're doing this road," he said.
"I don't think it's there for the developer but to service everyone at Run-O-Waters. The more building we get in there, like the (Signature Care) aged care facility, the more conducive it will be to a second access. It needs to be to a standard that caters for (predicted) growth. This is the one I believe we have to get right from the start."
He maintained that a ring road stretching from nearby Gurrundah Road over to Middle Arm Road "wasn't hard to do." Staff had previously proposed preliminary plans for this and it was part of a growth strategy. Extending it to the Hume Highway "would be massive."
Mayor Bob Kirk agreed that if it was to be the main arterial road around Goulburn in the future, it could have a bearing on the Run-O-Waters second access road standard.
Mr Bennett told The Post the ring road would avoid a circuitous route through town if one wanted to travel from Crookwell Road to Bunnings in Ducks Lane, for example.
"We want to get better access for heavy residential areas like Marys Mount and beyond where it's going to grow, without having to go past three schools and a hospital," he said.
"We want to look way out in terms of road infrastructure and ask what are the other options...It is part of Goulburn growing up because we believe the population will be 40,000 people by 2036."
The ring road could have a 60km/h to 70km/h speed limit.
The council is also discussing improvements to the northern Hume Highway interchange to allow southbound travel. Mr Bennett said Transport for NSW required more information about Goulburn's growth predictions to justify this. However the council has rezoned north Goulburn land to industrial to entice more business, which he believed bolstered the interchange upgrade case.
In addition, the council is also asking the state government to consider a third Hume Highway access. This could be a via a road extended from Common Street over to near the Windellama Road underpass.
"We know some of these ideas are 15 to 20 years out but we have to start thinking in that timeframe," Mr Bennett said.
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Louise Thrower
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
