Please take action re Council's meeting next Wednesday

Hello supporters of Cuttagee Bridge,

Below is a posting from the Bermagui Community Forum about Council's meeting next Wednesday.

Basically, Council wants to pursue demolition of Cuttagee Bridge when it gains funding, source unknown at this stage.

We need to keep the pressure up, to let both state government and local councillors know that the community wants Cuttagee Bridge (and the other timber bridges on the Tathra-Bermagui Road) preserved.

Council did not consult with the community before this decision - please let them know now how you feel.

Please contact Bega Valley Shire Council urgently: council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au  Attention all councillors,

or individual ones: rfitzpatrick@begavalley.nsw.gov.au lseckold@begavalley.nsw.gov.au rbain@begavalley.nsw.gov.au mnadin@begavalley.nsw.gov.au  tallen@begavalley.nsw.gov.au jdodds@begavalley.nsw.gov.au cgriff@begavalley.nsw.gov.au

State Member Andrew Constance bega@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Minister for Regional Roads: Paul Toole https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/ministers/minister-for-regional-transport-and-roads

Minister for Local Government: Shelley Hancock https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/ministers/minister-for-local-government

Please continue to share and encourage others to sign the petition. Transport for NSW has noticed it!

Bermagui Community Forum: Council Likely to Delay Cuttagee Bridge Replacement

Council has released their meeting agenda paper 11.6 Cuttagee Bridge Funding for their upcoming meeting on Wednesday, 31 March.

Council staff are recommending that Council withdraw its funding application for a Fixing Country Bridges $7.5million grant for the demolition of the Cuttagee Bridge and replacement by a two lane concrete bridge. Council is not confident it can complete the project within the two year time frame allowed under a funding offer. If this deadline is not achieved then Council is responsible for the full $11.5million estimated cost of the project. 

Transport for NSW (TfNSW) staff also believe that since members of the public have been making Ministerial representations and presenting a petition, it is likely there will be delays to the project that will affect the delivery date.

TfNSW staff are of the opinion that if Council does not voluntarily withdraw the application then they will initiate withdrawing the funding from Council.

Council staff are specifically recommending that Council:“withdraw its funding applications under current rounds of the NSW Fixing Country Bridges Program and the Federal Building Better Regions fund relating to the Cuttagee Bridge component, and signal its intent to relodge applications under subsequent rounds of both programs.” 
“continue to progress with other steps resolved at 10 March Council meeting, re engaging a heritage consultant to work with Council and the community to identify how to reflect heritage and tourism values in any new structure”, and “delegate the General Manager to form a community advisory group to provide guidance on how best to capture the heritage of Cuttagee Bridge”.
Options:
The paper suggests Council has two principal options:Accept the funding which may have the consequence that funding is withdrawn by TfNSW, or try to negotiate a longer than two year delivery timeframe for Cuttagee Bridge which TfNSW is not likely to accept. Council does not currently have a funding deed to accept for Cuttagee Bridge.
Council withdraw its grant application to the Fixing Country Bridges program for Cuttagee Bridge and try to source future funding under Fixing Country Bridges or other programs.
No matter the decision from Council, they are likely to try to source other future funding sources to replace the Bridge.

Council are also concerned that they may not have adequate resources to continue to maintain Cuttagee Bridge into the future.

It should be noted that Council has not as yet properly considered the Local Heritage Listing of Cuttagee Bridge nor its requirements under the Coastal Management Act. Also the Bridge is on Yuin country and the indigenous heritage aspects must be respected.

The Forum has sought a meeting with Council representatives to discuss the lack of consultation and respect shown to the community on this issue. We will also commence discussions with Council around the value of the bridges on the tourist drive and the importance of maintaining them. Council needs to understand that these bridges are an asset to be maintained not a problem.

The community is strongly of the view that in the long term the heritage economic value of these timber bridges between Wallaga Lake and Tathra far outweighs this short term funding grab of $7.5million from NSW State Government. Council should be promoting a tourist heritage trail along the Tathra-Bermagui Road. A thorough cost-benefit analysis in this regard does not appear to have been conducted by Council.

Community members are likely to speak to this issue at the public forum before the 31 March Council meeting.

It is important that the community stay active on this issue. Community members are encouraged to still email Council with their views on this issue at council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au and copy bermaguiforum@gmail.com 

Also please follow and contribute to the these social media listings:

Facebook - https://www.Facebook.com/SaveCuttageeBridge
Twitter - @savecuttageebr1
Instagram - save_cuttagee_bridge