FURIOUS councillors have “zero confidence” in the city’s traffic committee because they can’t get action on matters that grind the gears of Wagga drivers.
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Cr Paul Funnell has launched a scathing attack on the council-led committee, claiming public road complaints continue to go unheard.
It comes as attempts to undo the recently re-painted arrows around the Peter and Morgan streets roundabout, among other other frustrations, are “not being actioned by the committee”.
“I have zero confidence in the traffic committee,” Cr Funnell said. “It beggars belief the bureaucratic crap we’ve got to go through to get simple changes made. Here we are, the elected body, and we can’t get action.”
The committee comprises representatives from council, Roads and Maritime Services and NSW Police.
Council general manager Alan Eldridge has vowed to review the traffic committee to “keep in line with community expectations”.
Cr Funnell questioned the “consistency” of the committee’s decisions, after plans to subdivide 23 hectares into residential lots at Bomen were passed without a traffic study. "It’s inconsistent, contradictory behaviour … holding us to ransom,” he said.
Cr Julian McLaren called for a review of the traffic committee and for “more community input into the decisions they make”.
Cr Garry Hiscock, as a sitting committee member, defended its purpose, but agreed the roundabout needed to go back to the way it was in keeping with public opinion.
"There is an amount of money that is needed to fulfill a lot of the requirements recommended,” he said.
Mr Eldridge confirmed a report behind the arrow markings at the Morgan and Peter streets roundabout will be presented to the May ordinary council meeting. “In line with all service delivery areas of council, the current terms of reference of the traffic committee will be reviewed at some time in the future to ensure the committee is in line with community expectations,” he said.
