Heathcote media release: Wednesday, 24 March 2021
Member for Heathcote Lee Evans is pleased to announce that Transport for NSW have proposed an alternative route for transporting crushed sandstone and clean material to a storage site within the rail corridor in Helensburgh following community feedback.
Material is being excavated as part of a rail infrastructure upgrade project at Waterfall Station and currently taken to two nearby sites which are almost at capacity.
Lee Evans said Transport for NSW presented a plan on how it would transport about 35,000 tonnes of excess material to a third site at Helensburgh. The material would be reused to upgrade roads, walking tracks and fire trails, saving NSW taxpayers up to $6 million.
“From the get go it was clear the community was not in favour of the initial transportation plan and I urged Transport for NSW to look at other options,” Mr Evans said.
“I’m grateful that after further evaluation, and working with Wollongong Council and National Parks and Wildlife Service, we’ve come up with a proposed solution that will not only deliver a better outcome for those directly impacted but also for the wider community.”
The proposed option would see vehicles travel along the Princes Highway and exit near Cawleys Road to get to and from the storage site.
The use of residential areas such as Parkes Street and Wilsons Creek Road would only be considered if access to Cawleys Road was restricted due to rare events such as extended periods of inclement weather.
The community can provide feedback on the proposed option before 9am on Tuesday 6 April. An online information session will also be held on Tuesday 30 March. Visit yoursay.transport.nsw.gov.au/
Transporting material to the site would only begin after all community feedback has been considered and after all of the necessary planning approvals have been finalised. Should the proposed option be progressed, some minor upgrades would be required on Cawleys Road to enable trucks to travel safely.
