ROADS and Maritime Services (RMS) have remained frustratingly tight-lipped about a key study into Wagga’s ideal bypass route, according to Committee 4 Wagga.
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Civic leaders are anxiously awaiting the findings of a NSW Government Sturt Highway corridor study, expected for a July release.
It is believed the report will shed light on the most feasible alternate route for trucks to bypass the city.
However, frustration has mounted at a lack of consultation during the process.
C4W chief Chris Fitzpatrick revealed RMS has only touched base with the think-tank twice since the study was first undertaken.
He is hoping the organisation will address the polarising southern bypass route, touted in Wagga City Council’s Integrated Transport Strategy (ITS).
“There’s been a lot of publicity about the proposed route passing through people’s land and we urge them to make a submission to the ITS,” he said.
“At this stage they're (RMS) doing their own homework but they have a process to go through and we would have been interested to hear how that was progressing.”
According to C4W’s Strategic Plan, released last week, the southern bypass route through Springvale, Rowan and Forest Hill would reduce the city’s heavy vehicle traffic by 70 per cent.
Detractors of the route have refused to be silenced, creating a petition to oppose the development.
The Save our Suburb – Stop the Truck Southern Bypass petition has so far accrued 175 supporters and is addressed to Wagga MP Daryl Maguire, Mayor Greg Conkey and RMS.
Bridget McMeekin expressed her displeasure at the proposed route, flagging a Bomen corridor as a more viable option for trucks to avoid Edward Street.
“Why interfere with rural land, families lives and growth in our area when we have an industrial area at Bomen,” she said.
“I object to the southern bypass.”
