Construction continues on the new road over the railway bridge at Wallendbeen as repairs to the adjacent temporary bridge also get underway. Photo: Transport for NSW.
Andrew Sheridan and his family under their business Kinloch Equine have had part of their land taken off them by the NSW Government to realign the new Wallendbeen Bridge approach from the eastern side. Nearly four years has passed and the new bridge is still not completed.
Recently the temporary bridge which was built to help reopen the Burley Griffin Way was damaged, meaning the detour via Cootamundra recommenced. It adds at least another 40 minutes to the journey of between 4000 to 6000 vehicles each day. News to hand states the ‘temporary’ bridge is operational again with a speed limit and lights.
Mr Sheridan spoke with the Times last week and has rightly not been impressed with the way the process has been going and the time taken to reopen the bridge. His business revolves around the horse industry, and with a young family he and wife Emma have wanted to recommence their business activities as well as hold their annual Campdraft, which is a charity event which raises money that goes to local charities including the Light Horse.
He said, “The Sydney Harbour Bridge took eight years to build, the Wallendbeen Bridge has taken nearly four and it’s not built, It’s a disgrace.”
Sheridan is right, “The erection of the steelwork in Sydney commenced in September 1926. The Harbour Bridge was opened to traffic six years later on 19 March 1932. The completion of the entire work, including the bridge and approaches, took eight years. He said, “More and more people are getting frustrated with politicians not dealing with the big issues, brushing aside the real issues.
“I’d like to see Steph Cooke go above Minister Aitchison and go to Minns to find out what the hell is going on.”
“There are so many people ringing me that are affected by it. People that have trucking businesses and they have to drive all the way around.
“The government have gone and got their own advice and it said that there must be measures put in place to make sure our business is safe.
“We are talking about a large bank, trees and things that I wouldn’t have to do if the approaches to the bridge weren’t put through what was my land.”
“The Minister needs to come and see us or at least acknowledge the fact that these measures must be put in place to make this business safe so that we can hold the Campdraft going forward.
“If she doesn’t want to do that, at least go and donate the money to these organisations that rely on this Campdraft for those funds. Go and front up and give them the money while it’s not running.”
“We are getting told all sorts of things on when it will be (the bridge) finished, 2026, 2027, you just would not know.”
“They took our land back in November and there has been no one come and knock on the door and say anything and from what I understand the road is not even designed.”
“There’s no accountability for anything.”
“This is an absolute crisis, the gateway to the Riverina has been closed, we can’t get things in and out of Griffith. It’s meant to be the fruit bowl of Australia. Let’s get in and build the roads onto it and be done with it.
“Abb McAlister has been really good. He’s ready to meet with us and sit down with us.”
“I’d love to know what it has cost the region in lost logistics and all of that.”
Member for Murray Helen Dalton is currently in talks with Mr Sheridan over the issues facing the road. The Burley Griffin Way starts near Bowning as it comes off the Hume Highway and goes all the way to Griffith affecting Dalton’s constituents.
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