Regional Development Australia Orana chairman John Walkom has called for a tunnel through the Blue Mountains to provide western NSW with a high-speed road to Sydney.
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Mr Walkom’s comments came as the Orana and Central West branches of the RDA joined growing calls for a Bells Line Expressway.
He said tunneling was the logical way to ensure a quick and easy trip through the Blue Mountains.
“What should be called for now is the tunnel and dual carriage way through to Dubbo, linking all the major highways that connect to the city, creating good connectivity - whether this is via air, road or rail. Telecommunications is also crucial to the growth of NSW and its regions,” Mr Walkom said.
“With the current amount of tunnelling happening in Sydney, the machines are ready to go once they have completed their tasks in the metropolitan area.”
With the ever-increasing cost of the Sydney property market and rising population, Mr Walkom said this was an opportunity to build on regional communities.
“This is a regional issue that affects everyone west of the Blue Mountains,” he pointed out.
“A good road to Sydney would allow regional business and its residents to reach Sydney more easily. There are close to one million people west of the Great Dividing Range for whom this would enhance productivity within all types of industry.
“There is also tourism potential in line with the aim of Destination NSW to double visitation to the regions.”
The Central NSW Councils (Centroc) will hold a special meeting next week to develop their plan of attack for the Bells Line Expressway.
The group renewed calls to get a motorway over the Blue Mountains because they weren’t satisfied with what they saw in the government’s draft document Future Transport 2056.
RDA Central West acting chairman and Orange mayor Reg Kidd said Centroc would meet next week to discuss how to to proceed with their campaign.
Councillor Kidd challenged anyone to say the expressway wasn’t needed.
“We are talking about regional development here. Orange, Dubbo and Bathurst are all growing and the smaller towns can also benefit but for that to happen you need to have a good road corridor,” Cr Kidd said.
“RDA Central West is behind it, Centroc is behind it and our [Orange] council is behind it. That’s why Centroc is having a special meeting about it on Wednesday.”
