Mayor under fire over wavering support for roundabout at Bathurst’s worst intersection | Poll

In a letter to the Western Advocate, Kent and Dianne McNab said mayor Graeme Hanger had indicated to them that he “was not in favour of the construction of a roundabout” at the intersection of Mitre, Suttor and Lambert streets. 

“When asked directly the reason, he indicated that he thought the cost was too much,” the couple wrote.

“He then indicated that he thought it would be much better to make it a T-intersection by blocking off Mitre Street at the Hill Street end.”

When questioned by the Western Advocate, Cr Hanger would not confirm his preferred solution but said the new council would need to consider all the options, including a T-junction, before making a final decision.

He also said council had to wait for the Black Spot Funding application to “run its course” and factor that into its decision. 

“The issue is first and foremost about safety of all road users, especially school children, and maybe there are other less costly options,” he said. 

“The newly elected councillors, I’m sure, will get a further report.”

Mr and Mrs McNab said that Cr Hanger should “take the time to read” several reports that had been written over the past 18 years by council’s engineers.

In one report from 1999, the city engineer at the time had said a T-junction at the intersection would come at “considerable cost for minimal improvement”.

The same report recommended a roundabout be constructed, subject to funds being voted, and council chose to accept that recommendation. 

A roundabout was also favoured in two separate reports written in 2012 and 2017. 

Council has set aside $850,000 in the 2017-18 draft budget and has applied for Federal Black Spot Funding to implement a solution for the intersection.

The intersection has become one of the key issues of the local government election campaign.

Mr and Mrs McNab have called upon all of the candidates to make their stance on the intersection and commitment to funding it clear ahead of the September 9 election.

“Voters should consider well when casting their votes,” they said.