A bridge too far for NSW Government

You heard the joke about the government being here to help? Well, Cowra is still waiting on the Labor Minns Government. "The low-level bridge in Cowra is on a local road under the care of Cowra Council." That's the word from Transport for NSW spokesperson on behalf of NSW Minister for Roads and Transport, Jenny Aitchison. Cold comfort for Cowra residents who suffer increased congestion on all major roads and highways leading into Cowra especially during morning and afternoon peak times. Many believe the first step is planning for a bank high bridge downstream from the existing traffic bridge. The benefit is a reduction of congestion already evident accessing the main traffic bridge and predicted to be at grid lock in approximately 20 years. (Wood and Grieve report to Cowra Shire Council). This development would replace the existing 1930 constructed wooden low-level single lane bridge which is significantly impacted by flooding. This bridge is local traffic only and carries about a ridiculously high number of cars per day which adds to the issues on the main bridge when not accessible. Transport for NSW has a different view. "Transport for NSW has reviewed modelling provided by Council and understands Council's desire for the replacement of the low-level bridge. "Council is encouraged to continue planning the bridge replacement as a local road solution to provide local traffic relief as well as walking and cycling links between Redfern Street and Lachlan Valley Way, and Redfern Street and Lachlan Street (south)," the Transport for NSW spokesperson said. "Council can seek funding assistance through programs such as the Australian Government's Safer Local Roads Program which supports local roads, or the Australian Government's Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program for planning and modelling an integrated network solution." Or in other words - Cowra can sort out the problem themselves. Such rhetoric is common when it comes to how regions and rural councils are treated when it comes to roads, telecommunications and funding in general. It is especially surprising given there has been a succession of Mayors including Bill West and Ruth Fagan who have both made representations to the Minister. Even as recently as November 2023, then Mayor Ruth Fagan said - "There is an urgent need for the NSW Government to recognise the bottlenecks and congestion at the Cowra Bridge crossing of the Lachlan River." She went further. “This Bridge is really the intersection of five highways and at the bottom of the Cowra main street making it a compelling case for the NSW Government to plan and build another bridge to ease the strain on local infrastructure. “The current situation is difficult to negotiate as local traffic is holding up the increasing numbers of large freight transporters. This will become unworkable as freight and other traffic volumes increase significantly in the coming years,” Mayor Fagan said. "A new mid-level bridge, not a replacement bridge, is one of the main project priorities in Cowra’s Strategic Plan and we are advocating for this to go straight into the planning pipeline of Transport for NSW," said Ruth Fagan. "We are disappointed, so far, with the response from Transport for NSW, who should understand the traffic issues here in Cowra and how crucial this central location is to the Central West and NSW transport network," added Mayor Fagan.