Council disappoints

With the State Government committing to funding the repair and restoration of Cuttagee Bridge, it is extremely disappointing to learn that yesterday, Council voted to only agree to a concrete two lane bridge, and to not consider any other options. With no Deed of Agreement, this leaves funding in question, and the future of the bridge. It would seem the Councillors who voted with the Mayor have ignored the community's wishes. 

Helen O'Neil - Labor Councillor - had this to say:
"The picture shows grey clouds over Cuttagee Bridge.
Dr Michael Holland MP promised, and last year NSW Government delivered, $15m for the urgently needed repair and restoration of the Cuttagee Bridge.
The next step was a Deed of Agreement with Bega Valley Shire Council on how to manage and deliver this election commitment. The Government offered five options which could be quickly assessed for their cost and benefit to the community, to be followed this year with work on detailed design for the best solution. Council staff recommended we sign the Agreement.
This week the Council opted to delay signing the Deed of Agreement. It decided it would only accept one of the 5 options for assessment - its long standing preference for a 2 lane concrete bridge with pathway. It rejected assessment of a 2 lane bridge with hybrid concrete and timber construction which would keep some of our heritage on show on this tourist road.
We all agree that we need a safe bridge. We all agree we want it as soon as possible.
I voted to sign the Deed of Agreement to get the cost/ benefit work started and get the facts on the table about the best design and engineering. The vote was 5 to 3 to accept only with a single option. At the meeting I said it looked liked we were inviting confrontation with our state government.
The Council CEO said after that he could not definitely say how long it would take to renegotiate the Deed. Sometimes it is a quick process, sometimes slow."

Please continue to encourage others to sign and share the petition. It may not be available for much longer, but it would be great to reach 15,000.

Thanks.