Wollongong City Council last night voted unanimously in supporting the works completed to date and currently in progress from the West Dapto Initial Access Strategy.
The update to Council outlined a number of projects that had been completed and others still in progress. These works as part of the Strategy of improving transport links in the West Dapto area. While recognising the status of works to date and their constraints it called for a reassessment of key locations on the South Coast rail line in West Dapto to determine the optimum transport access points.
Council also resolved to establish a committee comprising the Lord Mayor and Ward 3 Councillors to monitor the development of a preferred access strategy south of Bong Bong Road. The establishment of a taskforce made up of State Government agencies and Council to finalise and coordinate the infrastructure delivery for the West Dapto release was also resolved.
“West Dapto Initial Access Strategy is all about making sure we’re taking the right steps to provide people living, or who will one day live, in this area with the best transport links we can,” Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery OAM said.
“Updates, such as the one voted on at last night’s Council meeting, are essential as it helps keep us across the work that is going on on. This project is such a massive undertaking and we want to get it right.”
The West Dapto Initial Access Strategy focuses on improving road conditions in the West Dapto Urban Release Area and around Horsley.
As part of the Strategy, the aim is to reduce congestion and ensure adequate access to the area by creating sufficient access options for existing and future motorists.
Through the State Government’s NSW Local Infrastructure Fund – run by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure – Council secured a $26.05 million loan. The whole Strategy is estimated to cost $78.5 million.
Work is progressing on the extension of Fairwater Drive from Sierra Drive to Cleveland Road. Consultation with the Illawarra Turf Club, as well as meetings with the RTA and RailCorp, have been held ahead of proposed improvements to the West Dapto Road and Princes Highway intersection. Work has begun on the design of the road and bridge improvements to Shone Ave adjacent to West Dapto Rd.