A community group of Bermagui residents working to save Cuttagee's wooden bridge say new documents obtained by a GIPA request reveal council's plans to use Tathra-Bermagui Road to increase freight traffic.
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In June there was overwhelming support for an alternative to the proposed concrete bridge at Cuttagee during a public meeting held by the Bermagui Community Forum facilitated by Sheena Boughen and attended by council representatives.
The decision made by council in March 2021 to demolish the wooden bridge and erect a two-lane concrete substitute continues to stand, but some members of the community are fighting to have the decision revised.
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The community group of residents campaigning to protect Cuttagee Bridge are encouraging people to have their say and complete a survey by the end of October 2021 with the intention to share the results with council before the end of the year.
The group is passionate about retaining and possibly restoring the bridge and have expressed concern about the bridge being used to create a freight corridor for heavier vehicles.
"We want council to save Cuttagee Bridge, and to recognise the tourism, environmental and cultural values of the coastal road," group spokeswoman Ms Boughen said.
The group recently obtained documents under GIPA that they feel "reveal a lot" about council's intentions for the Tathra-Bermagui Road (Tourist Road 9), including that the road was described as an "important alternative" to the Princes Highway.
The group claims that a council consultant describes the road as being key to link the region with "supply chain links to the freight and logistics sector".
The group also felt that the, "alleged economic benefits of a concrete bridge" were explored, whereas the the "tourism, cultural activity and the coastal landscape" of the bridge were neglected.
"Now's the time for council to change its mind. The documents provide the evidence that the council's decision-making process was really poor. There was zero consultation with the community before it was announced," said Ms Boughen.
"We don't want this to be about going against council, but about getting closed minds to explore the opportunities.
"We encourage councillors to be asking council staff to explore options.
"We've done a hell of a lot of research and through this campaign we hope we can show how collaboration can achieve results that work for everyone."