I AM delighted to see the river bridge crossing, for the first time, becoming a local government issue in the Shoalhaven. Six of the mayoral candidates have made it a major issue as part of a better approach to traffic planning and management and ward one council candidate Pat Mason has also recognised it as a major issue.

Meanwhile, Greg Watson continues to push a link road that is more to do with opening up North Nowra for development rather than solving our traffic problems.

He claims the State Government is ready to approve the Pitt Street/Narang Road option and yet after four years of effort, he hasn’t got the required environmental assessment to the Minister for Planning. The first assessment was knocked as totally inadequate in February this year.

He also knows that before the Minister can make a decision, the application must be released for public comment. It will also require consideration by the Federal Government as there are nationally threatened species at risk. If the Minister and Federal Government were to give approval, there could very well be a court challenge.

Finally, the State Government would need to pass legislation to revoke that part of the Bomaderry Creek regional Park needed for road easement. This would be very controversial and would bring strong opposition from the major NSW conservation organisations.

Approval is likely to be two years away if it is granted at all.

The Maunsell traffic study should lead council to ask whether the proposed link road will provide the relief from congestion Greg Watson has been claiming. But if we really need a link road then West Cambewarra provides a feasible alternative outside the bushland, making it more acceptable to both the community and the State Government.

However, money set aside for the link road could instead be offered as a contribution towards the construction of a third bridge over the river. This constructive approach (advocated by Dennis Argall) is far more likely to get results than the current blinkered strategy.

We have the opportunity to pass judgement on Mayor Watson’s approach to traffic management on September 13.

R. Moyes,

Nowra.