Stoner commits to Marlee and Duffs bridge cause

ALEX DRUCE

30 Nov, 2010 12:35 PM

OPPOSITION spokesperson for roads, Andrew Stoner, has stood by his commitment to lessen the financial burden on Greater Taree City Council ratepayers and help fund the replacement of Marlee and Duffs bridges if his party wins the State election in March next year.

Mr Stoner, State member for Oxley, told the Wingham Chronicle this week he stands by his belief that the State government is responsible for funding 50 per cent of the replacement of the two bridges, despite the Bulga Road being a local government priority.

Mr Stoner also stated if the Nationals and Liberals are elected next year, making him the State roads minister, the party will seek a contribution from the Federal Government for the project, further cutting the cost of replacing the bridges for Greater Taree City Council.

The Marlee and Duffs bridges are on Bulga Road, part of Tourist Drive 8, which stretches from Wingham to Ellenborough Falls and Comboyne.

Greater Taree City Council committed in June to replacing the ailing bridges by the end of 2012 as an immediate capital works priority. This means over the next two financial years the city council will allocate its entire bridge replacement program to the two bridges, and borrow additional funds as needed.

Mr Stoner has however voiced his opinion that there is a ‘precedent’ for the State Government to fund 50 per cent of the works.

The Tourist Drive 8 (TD8) Action Group, a lobby group made up of local residents, received written confirmation of Mr Stoner’s stance on this issue in May this year.

Mr Stoner’s ‘precedent’ refers to Recommendation 5 of the 2007 Roads Classification Review which stated that roads being declassified should remain eligible for any future bridge funding program that specifically targets regional roads. Indeed, the Kew Road which was earmarked for declassification in 2007, received funding for three new bridges in 2009/2010 under the Timber Bridge Replacement Program for Regional Roads.

Spending State funds on Duffs and Marlee bridges, which are on a ‘local road’, on the basis that it was a ‘regional road’ before 1996, would be retrospectively applying the principle of Recommendation 5.

However, Mr Stoner has indicated to TD8 members that this would give him sufficient justification to allocate funding normally aimed at regional road bridges.

Mr Stoner also suggested to TD8 in May that the financial burden of replacing the bridges could be lessened on Greater Taree City Council ratepayers should the Federal government come to the table to create an equal one-third sharing of the cost between the three levels of government.

It is understood members of the TD8 group will ask Lyne MP Rob Oakeshott to match the 33 per cent contribution proposed by Mr Stoner, or, in the event there is no contribution from the State, at least a 50 per cent contribution, when they meet with the Federal MP this week.

“Marlee and Duffs bridges service an important tourist route of State and national significance with benefits flowing to a much wider population that just the ratepayers of the Manning Valley,” TD8 member Sandra Kwa said.

“I am hoping Rob Oakeshott will be able to rise to the ‘equal one-third contribution’ challenge, which would mean a saving to GTCC of $3.3m, being two-thirds of the mooted $5 million cost. I would love to see some of that saving spent on making Bulga and Colling Roads a safer and more pleasant drive.”

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GTCC Meeting with TD8 - Wednesday 17th September 2010

TD8 met with GTCC as a follow up to the last TD8 meeting held late May 2010. The meeting agenda was based upon the outcomes of the May 2010 meeting, in which GTCC advised on the progress being made for both the bridges and Bulga Road projects.

In summary:

Marlee & Duffs Bridges

- All geo tech reports are now back and are being scrutinised
- Land acquisition around Duffs bridge appears to be traveling well
- Land acquisition around Marlee bridge may have a few issues, however GTCC is working on solutions
- Tender documentation should be offered prior to Christmas with tenders due back by then. GTCC is looking to award the tender in January/February 2011
- GTCC will consult with us prior to the awarding of the tender
- The final timing of the construction of both bridges will be determined largely by the timing in the successful tender
- Approach to replacement of bridges will again largely be determined by the successful tender

Bulga Road

- 80% of the design is completed
- Tender documents are currently being drafted
- Tender documentation should be offered towards the end of October
- Works are earmarked to be completed first quarter 2011, subject to weather

Regarding the opportunity for financial assistance, GTCC is in discussion with Rob Oakeshott MP office towards gaining a better understanding of the details and discussions had with Mr Oakeshott MP and the newly elected Labor government. This will become clearer over the coming months.

TD8 will be meeting with GTCC early next year once the tenders are due to be awarded in respect to the Bridges.

Our State MP's Response

Andrew Stoner, Member for Oxley, visited Elands Store on Friday 7 May and spoke with a group of local residents, including Sandra Kwa from TD8. They continued a discussion about the potential eligibility of Marlee and Duffs Bridges for State assistance under any future Timber Bridges Replacement Programs, given that Bulga Road was previously a Regional Road, and the most recent RTA Review Panel recognised local councils' need for financial assistance for bridges on declassified roads.

In an email dated Monday 10 May, Mr Stoner has promptly confirmed his position on funding for the two bridges, and his support for Tourist Drive 8 generally.

In my opinion, there is a precedent for the NSW Government to use the Timber Bridge Replacement Program for roads which were a State responsibility prior to reclassification.

In my view this should apply to TD8 - in other words in my opinion it is the responsibility of the State Government to fund 50% of the cost of replacing Marlee and Duffs Bridges.

That said, David Gillespie is pursuing a Federal contribution, given that the TD8 is an important tourist route for regional economic development.

Should the Federal Government agree, it would be an equal one-third contribution between local, state and federal governments.

Kind regards

Andrew Stoner MP
Member for Oxley

Should the Coalition win the election next March, and should he retain his seat, it is quite likely that Andrew Stoner would become the next State Minister for Roads and Transport.

The four TD8 members who met with the present Labor Minister, David Campbell, saw first-hand his disinterest in our predicament. At least Andrew Stoner is from this region, knows the people, drives the roads - this is his habitat too, so surely he would be a more empathetic minister than the city-based one we have now?

Realistically, Oxley is a safe Nationals seat, so the votes of our small community here won't change the course of the next NSW parliament. However, Mr Stoner laments that Elands is the one booth he can't seem to win, and an historic turn-around next March, at this booth, would send out a message of protest against our treatment by the current minister.

Don't take "no" for an answer.

TD8 Action Group
www.td8actiongroup.blogspot.com
td8actiongroup@gmail.com
PO Elands NSW 2429

Hon David Campbell, Minister for Transport
Mr Gavin Hill, Policy Advisor
Mr Joe Krsul, Asset Manager RTA Hunter Region,

Hon Barbara Perry, Minister for Local Government
Hon Kristina Keneally, Premier of NSW

Dear representatives and staff of the people of NSW,

Re: Letter from David Campbell MP to TD8 Action Group dated 19 March 2010 re Marlee and Duffs Bridges.

We wish to bring to your attention a serious error contained in the above letter (attached), which may indicate mistaken advice upon which the Minister for Transport has subsequently made a wrong decision.

Mr Campbell, your letter states: "I am advised that the (Greater Taree City) council receives funding assistance through ... the Timber Bridge Replacement Program for bridges on regional roads".

In fact, this council receives no such funding because none of its numerous failing timber bridges are on "regional roads". They are all on local roads, or roads which were shifted from regional to local as is the case with Marlee and Duffs Bridges.

This was the whole reason why we, and our Council, made the long trip with our detailed submission, to meet with you, Mr Campbell, and you, Mr Hill, on 15 December 2009. We thought it was very clear, and certainly you, Mr Krsul, are aware, that your RTA Timber Bridge program completely excludes the Greater Taree LGA, leaving us disadvantaged compared with other LGAs, some of which have had multiple bridges funded.

Mr Hill, you will recall we even stressed to you by phone (Friday 12 March), that this unfair exclusion renders the Minister morally obligated, if not technically, to provide assistance to Greater Taree. We are at a total loss as to how this error has been made.

Please, Mr Campbell, on the basis of this clarification now, reconsider your decision.

Your response has been: "the RTA is not in a position to provide supplementary funding". We were not asking the RTA; we are asking you for ministerial discretionary funding. Our State and Federal MPs, and Michael Pappadopoulos in the RTA, told us that you have access to such funds for additional projects considered on merit. Is this not the case?

Since you have deemed these bridges, on a State-designated tourist route (to the State's highest single-drop waterfall), do not merit State support, and you are fully aware of Council's inability to cope without State assistance, what do you suggest Council should do?

The Percy Allan Report, Are Councils Sustainable?, recommended in 2006 that Commonwealth and State Governments increase their grants by $200 million a year. In our council alone, the infrastructure backlog is now $170million. Professor Allan recognises "the special problems of rural councils, which, because of their vast road networks and narrow rate bases, will only survive with increased grant funding". (P. Allan, p.7) What is your response to Percy Allan's recommendations?

Why, in the RTA's recent NSW Road Classification Review, was there a net shift of resources away from rural roads and in favour of Sydney roads? (Final Report 2007, p.22) How does this help the special problems of rural councils mentioned above?

We are told by Council that for 50 years there has been "State cost shifting of services and infrastructure onto local councils". (Building a Better Future, Frequently Asked Questions, GTCC, p.4) Why did this happen? If State cost shifting is partly to blame for our infrastructure problems, then surely the State should contribute to the solutions? What savings can the State make in other areas in order to place a higher priority on roads and bridges?

If an accident occurs because of a substandard road where it has been financially impossible for the local council to maintain it, who is liable? Can councils cost shift back up to the State? If the State Transport Minister hasn't the funds to ensure all the roads in NSW are safe, shouldn't the State in turn seek to cost shift back up to the Commonwealth?

Ms Perry, is it fair that our Council should now be seeking a massive rate increase of 57.4% over four years (12% per annum compounding) in an attempt to cost shift the burden of chronic government cost shifting unilaterally onto the ratepayers of Greater Taree?

Isn't it time all levels of government started to work as one? We've heard enough blame shifting. Local councils deserve more than 5% of the public resource pool. (Percy Allan, p.7)

The ratepayers are prepared for some increase, and indeed should be paying a fair rate that is comparable to other LGAs, but an increase this size will surely cause hardship to many struggling families in this low socio-economic region. We are already facing steep increases in power and water bills. A sudden rate increase may be the last nail in the coffin, particularly for young families of modest income enticed into home ownership by well-intentioned government schemes.

Ms Keneally, as our Premier, please show the people of Greater Taree, and all the statewide, nationwide and worldwide visitors who are drawn to this beautiful region, that you care and are proud of what we have to offer. Crumbling roads and bridges reflect so poorly on this State and are a hazard for all road users. Please show us the compassion that your Transport Minister could not seem to muster. Please influence him to reverse his decision regarding Council's modest request for $2 million - less than a 50% contribution - towards the replacement of Marlee and Duffs Bridges. This gesture will ease the pain and burden of a community facing an insurmountable infrastructure nightmare.

We look forward to replies from all addressees to this letter.

Thankyou for taking careful note of our views.

Yours sincerely,

Ms Sandra Kwa
Mr David Marks
Mr Ken Cameron
Mr Colin Hurrell
Ms Janeece Irving
Ms Rosemary Lembke

31/3/10

NO HELP FROM ABOVE

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE

The view is looking decidedly dim, as we can now confirm that there is no help coming from the State Government. In a letter received on Friday 19 March, the Transport Minister David Campbell confirmed to TD8 that he has chosen to completely abandon Marlee and Duffs Bridges on Bulga Rd, despite our case, put strongly to him in a meeting last December, that this tourist drive to Ellenborough Falls is an important economic, social and cultural link between two regions.

His letter erroneously claims that our council receives State funding through "the Timber Bridges Replacement Program for bridges on regional roads". In fact, Greater Taree is not eligible for that program because none of our many ailing timber bridges are on regional roads; they are all on local roads which don't normally qualify for State assistance. That is why we approached the Minister in the first place seeking special assistance.

Bulga Rd used to be "Regional Rd 109" until it was declassified in 1995, leaving it totally a Council responsibility, complete with two large timber bridges nearing their use-by dates, namely Marlee and Duffs. In the most recent NSW Road Classification Review, the Panel refused Council's request to reinstate Bulga Rd as a regional road as it was not considered important enough. Mr Campbell has reconfirmed this position in his letter.

Meanwhile, our Council were rejected by the Federal Government Defence Minister Senator John Faulkner in their request to borrow two of the nineteen surplus army bridges that are no longer needed by the Defence Force. It seems Council are now reluctant to fall back on any other temporary bridge option, and are hoping the community will make do with the 8 tonne Marlee Bridge until the permanent bridges are built.

TD8 have made it clear to Council that this is not what was resolved at the November 18 Council meeting, when Councillors agreed to borrow up to $1m for temporary solutions that would quickly restore the previous 25 tonne capacity. The current 8 tonnes still excludes many vehicles that are important for businesses, farmers and residents. However, a compromise between 8 tonnes and 25 tonnes could perhaps be negotiated.

Accordingly, we are inviting contact from anyone in the community who requires access for vehicles above 8 tonnes and is not content to use the detour for another 18 months to 2 years. Please contact td8actiongroup@gmail.com or phone 6550 4466 or 6550 5164. You should also make your needs known directly to Council's Executive Leader Asset Management, Mr Ron Posselt, 6592 5399.

BULGA ROAD CLOSURE – MARLEE BRIDGE

Greater Taree City Council wishes to advise that its contractor (NSW RTA) has the opportunity to finalise repairs to Marlee bridge that permitted the raising of the weight restrictions from 2 tonnes to 8 tonnes during December last year.
To undertake the programmed works a total road closure of Bulga Road at the Marlee Bridge is necessary on Tuesday 23 March and Thursday 25 March 2010, weather permitting.
It will be necessary for all vehicles to use the heavy vehicle detour as signposted during the period of closure.
Additional signs will be placed advising all motorists of the upcoming closure.
These programmed works are to finalise strengthening work that commenced prior to Christmas 2009 and will not increase the weight restrictions for general traffic above the current 8 tonne limit.
Access will be available to each bridge approach during the closure.
All enquiries regarding the works can be directed to Council’s Works Engineer or the Construction Field Co-ordinator on 6592 5199.

How to contact the PM

In the wake of last week's news reports on scandalous Defence Force extragavances, our mayor Paul Hogan is calling on the community to request the Prime Minister to allow civilian use of surplus Army bridges in locations of dire need, beginning with Marlee and Duffs Bridges on Tourist Drive 8 to Ellenborough Falls.

Greater Taree City Council made a formal application to the Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, for the use of two bridges out of the nineteen they learned were sitting unused in storage. Their application has received a negative reply from Senator Faulkner via Rob Oakeshott.

We suggested in the last posting that you all write to Senator Faulkner, but if you want to also email the PM, Kevin Rudd, you can go to the website:

www.pm.gov.au/PM_Connect/Email_your_PM

Are November's resolutions still good for the new year?

TD8 and GTCC had their first meeting of 2010, on 17 Feb. The good news is, the mayor has confirmed that in addition to the $1m of borrowings approved last November, Council is prepared to dedicate their entire annual bridge budget of $1.3m for the next two years (that's $2.6m) towards building two permanent bridges (estimated to cost $4.6m) to replace Marlee and Duffs Bridges. We are all still waiting for a reply from the Hon David Campbell, Minister for Transport, to GTCC's request for $2m in assistance, so if you haven't emailed him, it's still worth doing: david@campbell.minister.nsw.gov.au

You may have been wondering what's happening with the temporary bridges that Council promised us as a matter of urgency. We had investigated some costs and options ourselves - like the Gloucester bridge and the Unibridge - but then at a meeting in mid November, Council staff began to research and consider a new option: the Army bridge. This involved making a formal application to the Minister for Defence (Senator John Faulkner), under their "Defence Assistance to the Civil Community" policy, requesting that he authorise the lending or hiring out of two army bridges to GTCC. Council's engineers had learned that the Defence Department had some 19 bridges currently in storage that are now "surplus to requirement" because the design has now been superseded.

The bad news is, Senator Faulkner has declined to assist. Rob Oakeshott took the Council's submission to him personally in December, and Rob has assured us he will still continue to pursue this. TD8 also sent an email in February urging him to help us. Council had asked us not to publicise their quest for Army bridges, until a reply had been received. Now that it has, if you feel strongly that it is morally indefensible for a public department to sit on a glut of unused surplus resources while the public, whose taxes paid for these resources, so desperately needs them elsewhere, then do send an email to Senator the Hon John Faulkner: Defence.Minister@defence.gov.au

Meanwhile, although we now have 8t instead of 2t on Marlee Bridge, many vehicles, including Col and Carmel's milk tanker, are still excluded and have to use the detour. Time has been wasted with hopes pinned on an option that is evaporating, and any temporary bridge is going to take yet more time. Given that the recent repairs to Marlee Bridge proved to be quick, cost-effective, and made a significant improvement, we are asking Council to consider carrying out further repairs, ASAP, on both bridges, to the extent that they could provide satisfactory temporary access while the permanent bridges are fast-tracked. We have requested time frames and details of proposed temporary and permanent solutions, in writing, from Council, and will pass these on as soon as they are provided.