The Eurobodalla Shire Council unanimously passed a motion to make a submission on Roads and Maritime Services' proposed safety upgrade at the intersection of the Princes Highway and Centenary Drive, Narooma.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The proposal bans right and left turns from the Princes Highway by extending the guardrail across one lane of Centenary Drive.
Councillor Phil Constable said the upgrade would inconvenience locals and visitors using the intersection regularly.
"The proposal will shunt the problem to the next intersection," he said.
"I think the problem could be ameliorated with RMS by utilising some property to the west-three blocks of land, excavating the bank and providing a safe slip lane.
"The next intersection going onto Dalmeny Drive is quite problematic for large boats going down to the wharf to launch there, adds another three kilometres on to their trip.
"We've got Marine Rescue, National Parks and Wildlife vessels there."
He said there would be "cost shifting" in upgrading Williamson Drive, which would come back to the council.
He said Williamson Drive was a "really problematic road that is not tarred and sealed and not designed for traffic".
Cr Constable was glad RMS was giving the intersection attention but said "it's giving it the wrong attention".
"We have had some incidents, as RMS has indicated, and quite a few rear-end collisions coming from the south."
He said the council's director of infrastructure Warren Sharpe was supportive of Cr Constable's view and had indicated with RMS officers previously he was not supporting the proposal.
"They (RMS) seem to have ignored his advice at this stage," he said.
Cr Constable said the council had written to Bega MP Andrew Constance and were "anxious to get his support".
Cr Constable said they would send their submission as soon as possible, and he was writing a personal submission on the matter.
"The weight of having the elected body would improve our prospects," he said.
RMS has asked the public to provide feedback on the proposed changes by Monday, July 8.
RMS said they would continue to consult with the community as the planning process proceeded.
For more information or to leave feedback on the proposal, email SouthernProjects@rms.nsw.gov.au or call 4221 2728.