HEATED debate over the future of a Berry bypass has taken an unexpected twist with Roads and Maritime Services (formerly the RTA) investigating a new southern route put forward by engineer Bruce Ramsay, who was responsible for changes to the planned northern route.
Mr Ramsay, who retired to the Shoalhaven after running major construction companies around the world, drew up amendments to the planned northern bypass route on behalf of the organisation Better Options for Berry.
However when the changes were presented to a fiery public meeting in Berry during December he became aware of the possibility of a bypass route to the south of Berry that he did not believe had been properly investigated.
He has drawn up a plan for a southern bypass that “resolves about 95 per cent of the problems with the northern option”, and which he said was a genuine bypass that would preserve Berry’s integrity and character for the next 100 years.
Topping the list of concerns about the northern bypass route that had already been accepted was the way it cut Berry in half, separating the town’s existing 460 homes from another 540 planned for the Huntingdale Park estate and Graham Park.
The Kangaroo Valley Road interchange, the North Street alignment and the bypass’s impact on Victoria Street were other major concerns expressed by Berry residents, which Mr Ramsay said were all solved through the southern route.
“It’s just a no-brainer,” he said, adding he could not understand why a bypass to the south of Berry had not previously been thoroughly investigated.
“I’ve asked the questions, but I never get an answer to them,” he said.
“This is well away from the town, people are not affected by it, it is a true bypass.
“Most importantly, this will preserve Berry for ever and a day,” Mr Ramsay said.
Roads and Maritime Services is seriously considering Mr Ramsay’s southern route, with several meetings having already taken place and costings in the process of being prepared.
“It’s very well advanced, I expect a decision before Easter,” Mr Ramsay said.
He predicted the cost of the southern bypass would be the same or less than the northern option.
His route leaves the Princes Highway at Croziers Road south of Berry, and heads across farmland before reconnecting with the existing highway near the statues of Alexander and David Berry.
Mr Ramsay said the road, built at a level to ensure it would not flood, would include bridges, viaducts and culverts under which farm machinery and livestock could pass.
During the process of planning the bypass the RTA considered several routes south of Berry but ruled them out because of cost, flooding and environmental issues.
Mr Ramsay said the environmental concerns were centred on acid sulphate soils, but added there were standard engineering practices used all over Australia for dealing with the potentially polluting soils.
The new southern route is being pushed by Kiama MP Gareth Ward who said he had asked the Roads Minister to review previous costings “following representations from local residents who have significant civil engineering experience”.
“This decision to review a southern bypass will not stop progress of this project; however I have an obligation as the local Member to ask all necessary and relevant questions to get the best possible outcome for Berry,” Mr Ward said.
A Roads and Maritime Services spokesperson confirmed a new look at a southern route would not delay development of a Berry bypass, as the southern route would be reviewed concurrently with work on the approved northern bypass.
She said the authority would report back to the community on possible costs, noise, visual impact, social and environmental issues about Easter.
Shoalhaven deputy mayor, coucillor Andrew Guile said it has real benefits for Berry residents that include pedestrian safety, preservation of quality of life with less noise as well as the removal of any interruption of Berry’s visual connection with the escarpment.
However the move has provoked new anger among the Berry community.
Resident Russell Baldwin said he was “stunned” the issue was being dredged up again when it seemed to have been resolved.
“I thought this was all put to bed and decided,” he said.
“I’m amazed this can surface now and possibly change the shape of the project.
“This will just put the community in uproar again,” he said, predicting protests from people living in Berry’s south.
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