Calls for an upgrade and/or an additional bridge or even a tunnel linking Forster and Tuncurry across the Coolongolook River has been taken up by the big end of town.
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Today, Tuesday, April 27 Member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead launched a public campaign petitioning for an additional lane for the busy Forster Tuncurry bridge.
Mr Bromhead said should his petition gain 10,000 or more signatures it would be debated on the floor of parliament bringing local issues to the forefront of the NSW Government.
"I have been advocating for extra lanes across the water between Forster and Tuncurry behind the scenes for years now, but it's time we bring this fight into the open and show the NSW Government the immense public support," he said.
"When the bridge is closed it leaves our community vulnerable with ambulances, police, fire fighters and other emergency services cut off and forced to detour for two hours via Bulahdelah to make what should be only a five minute journey across the bridge.
Rural Fire Service (RFS) Tuncurry captain, Steve Surguy said extra lanes between Forster and Tuncurry would be a game changer for emergency services.
When the bridge is closed it leaves our community vulnerable with ambulances, police, fire fighters and other emergency services cut off and forced to detour for two hours vai bulahdelah to make what should be only a five minute journey across the bridge.
- Stephen Bromhead
"The villages of Forster and Tuncurry are highly reliant on each other and when cut off our region becomes incredibly vulnerable," Mr Surguy said.
"A second crossing or increased lanes across the water would eliminate the risk of isolation currently facing our community and ensure emergency vehicles could access both Forster and Tuncurry without delay."
Great Lakes businessman, Rob Jeffress, who has been pushing both local and State governments for bridge improvements, welcomed the announcement.
The timing is right because the planning, funding, consultation and construction process will take at least 10 years, Mr Jeffress said.
And, there has never been a better time for us to drive investment and jobs in our region and take advantage of State and Federal governments' covid infrastructure funding, he said.
"The bridge is 62 years old, and while it has been amazing, traffic volumes have trebled since it was opened.
"To my mind it is not a question of if, it is a question of when and we have to put it on the agenda."
Mr Jeffress said ideally he would like to see a master plan that incorporated the bridge and a boardwalk along the Wallis Lake foreshore that would showcase Forster to visitors.
"But, whether its widening the existing bridge to four lands, a second bridge beside it - or somewhere else altogether - regardless of tourism, it's needed for local traffic regardless."
The petition is available to sign in Mr Bromhead's Tuncurry office in Manning Street and various local business outlets.
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Jeanene Duncan
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
