AS SPRING, warmer weather and the fire season approach discussions between Roads and Maritime Services and Nambucca Shire Council about repairs to the Bellingen/Bowraville Rd continue.
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Having been given a budget of $1 million last year, the council has been working with National Parks and Wildlife Service and NSW Forests to come up with a plan that will make the road a safe emergency exit.
Nambucca Shire mayor, Rhonda Hoban, said a costed design had been submitted to the RMS with a request for a further $0.5 million to complete the job.
“This would see the road accessible to a Category One fire tanker,” Cr Hoban said.
“Safety is the most important thing here – it was the issue that came out top of the list at the RMS value managment workshop three years ago and we saw it again a couple of months ago with the fire on Helliwell’s Rd. Residents have to have access from both sides to ensure they can escape safely.”
A spokesperson from NSW Transport Minister Duncan Gay’s office said “options to fund work on Bellingen Road in order for it to be reopened for use by emergency service vehicles and the Rural Fire Service were under consideration.”
