With development should come some extra lanes
RE: The front page article “New level” (Western Advocate, Friday, August 5) about raising the existing low level bridge at the north-eastern end of George Street, as suggested by Cr Greg Westman and Cr Michael Coote.
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Firstly, I commend their ambition to improve the ratepayers’ amenity of the vastly growing residential developments on the outskirts of our city.
However, I believe raising the Gordon Edgell Bridge would not meet a positive cost-benefit analysis as the eastern approach itself is in a floodplain and in floods greater than the recent nuisance flooding, Hereford Street would be inundated.
Bathurst is fortunate in that it lies in the upper reaches of the Macquarie River catchment, where history has shown that while flooding events occur with limited preparation time, the waters quickly recede compared with downriver settlements.
However, I sincerely commend the councillors for putting on council's agenda the proposal to increase the number of lanes on the city's arterial road network that link these new developments to the town.
It is common knowledge that council collects thousands of dollars for every new lot developed (known as Section 94 contributions) for road upgrading and maintenance due to the extra traffic that the development will generate in that area.
This contribution is collected from the land developer prior to plan registration.
I and many other ratepayers would be very interested to see where these millions of dollars have been spent on these roads over the past 15 years.
As a long-term resident I believe that these upgrades should be undertaken as the funds are available for the benefit of the ratepayers of today.
After all, we are the ones putting up with the gridlock caused by the growth.
If these funds were put to use, it goes without saying that a comprehensive traffic study would need to be undertaken during the planning stage to ensure an even distribution of the traffic once it enters the central business district.
Ian Evans
Appreciative and humbled by community’s support
THE Sutherland family wish to express their gratitude and heartfelt thanks to all those who have contributed towards fundraising efforts for Pierce Sutherland, including: the fundraising committee members; Elephant and Castle; Bridging Australia; Wellmix Concrete; Mark Ireland Lawyers; ARG Plumbing; Wealgas; tradesmen in the Bathurst building industry; Bathurst Golf Club; Bathurst City Community Club; 2BS; Western Advocate; Division of Information Technology; Charles Sturt University; sponsors and participants of the Golf Day, Clothing Bazaar and Cake Stall and 80s Night; Railway Hotel; Knickerbocker Hotel; Goldilocks; local businesses and schools; individuals who donated prizes and money; as well as our family, extended family and all our wonderful friends.
We are very appreciative and humbled by all of your ongoing support and efforts during this past year. We are truly grateful to belong to such a great community.
Pierce, Rob and Shane Sutherland, Kelso
Seeking those with Kable ties for a family reunion
THE Kable Family Association is searching for descendants of First Fleet convicts Henry Kable and Susannah Holmes to invite them to a 230th wedding anniversary reunion at Windsor, NSW on February 10 and 11, 2018.
Two of Henry and Susannah’s sons, George Esto Kable and William Nathaniel Kable, were both living with their families in Bathurst at the time of the 1828 census.
Those interested in attending are invited to contact Jane van Woerkom at janevanwoerkom1952@gmail.com