THE construction of the Myall Way flyover would be a priority for a Liberal/Nationals Coalition Government, Opposition Leader Peter Debnam announced on Wednesday during a visit to the Myall Lakes.
Mr Debnam, Nationals Member for Myall Lakes John Turner, Hunter-based Liberal MLC Robyn Parker and Liberal candidate for Port Stephens Craig Baumann made the announcement when they met with representatives of the Myall Way Flyover Task Force.
"The Iemma Labor Government should immediately construct the Myall Way flyover - and if they don't I will make it a Liberal/Nationals Coalition Government priority," Mr Debnam said.
"This intersection is extremely dangerous and it would be criminally negligent of the State government to see a life lost because they failed to build the Myall Way flyover above the Pacific Highway at Tea Gardens," he said.
Mr Debnam said the residents of Tea Gardens-Hawks Nest should not be forced to battle speeding cars and trucks to get to and from home each day.
Mr Turner agrees and has been fighting along with local residents for the Myall Way flyover for years believing the present intersection is sub standard and not safe or appropriate for use by residents and visitors to the area.
"Considering at least 10 deaths occurred at the Rainbow Flat intersection on the Pacific Highway before a flyover was built, how many deaths will the State government allow at the intersection of the Pacific Highway and Myall Way before a flyover is constructed?" Mr Turner asked.
"Three thousand local residents and up to 20,000 people during peak holiday season are forced to risk their lives at this dangerous intersection because of the Labor Government's perpetual inaction," he said.
"There is going to be an overpass at Bulahdelah, there is one presently operating at Nabiac and of course the Rainbow Flat one, yet the fact that there isn't one at the Tea Gardens-Hawks Nest intersection is causing concern.
"It defies belief that it was not more economical to put the overpass in now rather than wait for 10 years.
"The government's own figures show the folly of this delay in the sense that when I first spoke to the RTA about this proposal they told me it would cost $6million, now only two and a half years later the government have stated through a further study that it is going to cost $19.6 million.
"That proves that they got it wrong and they should have put it in with the works that were being done and it is not too late to do that."
Great Lakes councillor Len Roberts believes the current intersection is confusing and dangerous.
"If you wish to turn north you have to know the intersection, otherwise you will miss it and either drive to The Rock before turning around or panic and try and get back.
"This will cause accidents, particularly where caravans and trailers are involved.
"Something needs to be done now," he said.
Hunter-based Liberal MLC Robyn Parker said the local community does not agree with the Labor Government's claims the current population of Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest doesn't warrant a flyover.
Tea Gardens resident Juergen Seil, active committee member of the Myall Way Flyover Task Force, said he was extremely pleased the Opposition had made a commitment to proceed with constructing the overpass should they win the next election.
"It should be remembered that the previous Roads Minister Carl Scully made a rather unintelligent decision in deleting the overpass from the original tendered design," he said.
Chairperson for the task force, Patricia Michell, said the task force was feeling heartened that at last somebody was listening to them.
"After 18 months of inaction by the current State Government it is pleasing to receive assurances from the Opposition that they would construct an overpass when in government," she said.
Liberal Candidate for Port Stephens Craig Baumann said he would continue to fight for the immediate construction of the Myall Way flyover.
"Residents have every right to be angry with the Labor Government's complete disregard of this important safety issue."
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