Put the brakes on the Ellerton Drive Extension proposed for Queanbeyan

A contract to build the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) was announced on 15 September in an apparent breach of the caretaker rules for local councils and less than a week before the new council is due to meet for the first time.

The Member for Monaro, John Barilaro, and the Administrator of Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC), Tim Overall, made the announcement after the council election results were announced even though the council is still in caretaker mode.

A report presented to the council before the 9 September poll stated that major contracts could not be signed during the caretaker period.

We are seeking legal advice about whether the decision to award the contract is lawful given this apparent breach of the caretaker rules.

Read more on our website: https://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/2017/09/16/john-barilaro-and-tim-overall-ignore-caretaker-rules-to-announce-ede-contract/

It's time to vote for a better transport plan – not the EDE.

With the right councillors, we can have a better transport plan, not the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE).

Now it’s over to you. Find out where the candidates stand at https://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/what-you-can-do/

And make your vote count.

Booths open at 8 am and close at 6 pm. Find out where to vote at votensw.info http://www.votensw.info/is_my_council_holding_an_election

The Queanbeyan Age Chronicle is asking people to vote on their key election issue.

If The EDE is the most important election issue for you, then take the poll now.

http://www.queanbeyanagechronicle.com.au/story/4896878/heading-to-the-polls/?cs=1529

It’s crunch time. If you want to stop the EDE, you need to vote in the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council election on 9 September for candidates who will deliver a better transport plan.

Council administrator Tim Overall wants us all to think there is no hope of stopping the EDE but he’s wrong. With the right councillors we can stop the EDE and get a better transport plan.

Our campaign team asked the candidates where they stand on the EDE. Before you vote, read what they had to say at www.qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com

Attend the Queanbeyan meet-the-candidate event – Monday, 28 August from 7 pm at the Roos Club, Richard Ave, West Queanbeyan.

Contact the Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Tell her you don’t support the EDE and want the next democratically elected council to listen to the community and deliver a better transport plan.
Call 02 8574 5000 or send an email https://www.nsw.gov.au/contact-us/contact-the-premier/

Administrator Tim Overall has stopped listening. At a meet-the-candidate event on Thursday night, hosted by the Jerrabomberra Residents’ Association (JRA), he was asked if he would halt the EDE project and let the council to be elected on 9 September make a decision.

He claimed he couldn’t act; that it was out of the council’s hands.

The fact is he won’t act because he’s stopped listening.

There is still time to act because no contract to build the road has been awarded or signed.

If Tim Overall won’t act then we’re asking Premier Gladys Berejiklian to step in.

People have been calling her office to ask her to do just that. People are telling us that her office is fobbing them off – telling them to call other ministers and to put their complaint in writing. This is a technique used to discourage people.

Don’t play their game.

Call the Premier TODAY on 02 8574 5000 and email her at: https://www.nsw.gov.au/contact-us/contact-the-premier/

Efforts are underway to impose the Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) on our community before we vote for a new council on 9 September. But your vote can make a difference.

Administrator of Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, Tim Overall, a long-time backer of the EDE, and Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) are rushing to award a contract to build the road next week, when pre-poll voting opens.

They are trying to lock in the EDE because they fear a community backlash against the road project at the ballot box.

We’ve asked all candidates where they stand on the EDE and the need for a better transport plan. This is so you can choose candidates who understand our concerns and will work for a sustainable transport plan and alternatives to the EDE.

Find out where the stand before you vote https://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/what-you-can-do/

A contract to build the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) is expected to be awarded next week, just as early voting opens to elect a new council.

The NSW Government and council Administrator Tim Overall is treating our community with contempt.

We learned of the development through Public Forum responses on 23 August, the same night we presented more petition signatures, topping 1,500 online and hard copy signatures.

This action demonstrates contempt for our community.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian can stop this road project tomorrow. Call her office on 02 8574 5000 and tell her to start treating our community with respect and let the next elected council decide the issue.

And make sure you vote on 9 September for councillors who will back a better transport plan.

There's only three weeks to go until the QPRC elections. Turning up to ask questions at meet-the-candidate events is one way you can inform yourself of candidates’ views and raise awareness about the problems with the EDE among other people in the audience.

There are several events in the district ahead of the 9 September election:

• Wamboin/Bywong Community Association – Tuesday, 22 August, from 7:30 pm at the community hall, 112 Bingley Way, Wamboin

• Jerrabomberra Residents’ Association – Thursday, 24 August, from 7:45 pm at the Jerrabomberra Community Centre, Jerrabomberra Parkway

• Braidwood, Saturday, 26 August, from 2 pm at the Servicemen’s Club, Coronation Avenue, Braidwood

• Queanbeyan Residents and Ratepayers Association & Googong Residents’ Association – Monday, 28 August, 7 pm at the Kangaroos Club, Richard Avenue, Queanbeyan

The NSW Liberal-National Government has abandoned any more forced council mergers ahead of the local elections on 9 September.

But where does that leave us here in Queanbeyan-Palerang?

The Administrator’s decision to approve the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) was undemocratic.

The Premier needs to step in NOW and halt the EDE project.

Let a democratically-elected council decide the best way to address our transport needs - putting the community’s interests ahead of developers’.

We'll be asking every candidate or group contesting the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council elections where they stand on the proposed EDE and a better transport plan for our community.

We'll publish their responses on our website before pre-poll voting opens on 28 August. https://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com

Remember, you can vote for a better transport plan on 9 September.

Opposition to the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) continues to grow, with the number of people who have signed our petition approaching 1500.

We presented 37 more signatures on our petition against the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) at the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC) meeting in Bungendore on Wednesday, 26 July.

The additional signatures bring to 1,481 the number of people who have signed the petition calling for the council to halt the EDE project, prepare a sustainable transport strategy, and let the next elected council determine the best transport options in consultation with the new regional community.

Help get us over the line of 1500 objections before the last council meeting on 23 August.

Sign the petition now and ask a friend to sign, too.

Our team of volunteers braved the biting cold weather on Saturday morning to talk to shoppers at Karabar about what’s wrong with the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE).

A lot of people knew about the project and didn’t support it.

Others had the wrong impression about what the EDE would actually do. This includes residents along Cooma St who think the EDE will stop the rising volume of traffic, including trucks, trundling past their homes.

There’s still time to stop the EDE. You can help by:

- contacting the Premier and John Barilaro

- talking to your neighbours and friends

- voting at the council elections in September for candidates who support our campaign against the EDE and for a better transport plan; and

- signing our petition.

We marked the first year since the government-appointed council Administrator approved the Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) with a demonstration.

Our group set up outside the office of the Member for Monaro, John Barilaro, who backs the road and has refused to speak to community groups concerned about the EDE.

We collected signatures on our petition, distributed flyers and spoke to people about what’s wrong with building the EDE.

We asked residents to consider this issue when they vote for a new council at the local government elections on 9 September, and if they oppose the EDE, to let the Premier know that this is a vote changer for them.

Contact the Premier, Gladys Berejiklian: 02 8574 5000
Email: https://www.nsw.gov.au/contact-us/contact-the-premier/

Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council has allocated $8.2 million for the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) in the 2017-18 budget.

The draft budget earmarked $1.9 million towards the road construction, which the council and the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) expect to start in September.

But another $6.3 million was added after the draft budget was released for public comment. The additional funding is to cover the cost of purchasing land for the ‘biodiversity offset’ - to ‘compensate’ for the destruction of endangered woodland.

(See Attachment 8 to item 8.3, row 46 of the table, at the bottom of pg 120.)

http://www.qcc.nsw.gov.au/Council/Council-Meetings/Ordinary-meeting-documents-2017/Ordinary-meeting-documents-2017

Here’s another opportunity to tell the council where to go on the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) by completing a survey on transport needs.

The survey is part of Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council’s preparation of an Integrated Transport Plan and follows drop-in sessions held last week.

Council says the survey provides an opportunity for anyone to contribute to the draft transport plan, specifically to identify locations where you believe improvements could be made.

The survey covers public transport, car sharing and active transport (e.g. cycling and walking).

Consultants will use the information from the survey and drop-in sessions in developing a draft strategy to be released for public comment.

The survey is open until 14 July at http://yourvoice.qprc.nsw.gov.au/

A contract to build the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) is expected to be awarded in August, with construction to start the following month – when voters go to the polls to elect a new council.

This was revealed in responses to questions at the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC) Public Forum on 14 June.

Find out more on our website at https://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/2017/06/17/ede-construction-tipped-to-start-in-september/

Transport workshops for QPRC residents – So why is the council pressing on with the EDE?

It’s taken almost eight years since council acknowledged the need to get some action.

Finally, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council is developing a broader transport strategy, rolling together the pedestrian and mobility plan, the bicycle plan and new measures to address the woeful lack of integration with ACT transport services.

But there’s just one problem. Well, actually there are a few problems. The biggest one is that the council still plans to build the Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE).

Why not pop along to a workshop (in Queanbeyan you’ll have to attend three) and tell the council what we want and what we don’t.

Details are here: www.qprc.nsw.gov.au

Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council is proposing to spend $1.9 million in loan funds to developers in 2017-18 towards building the proposed EDE.

It’s just the first instalment in a $36 million loan that the Liberal NSW Government appointed Administrator Tim Overall approved in June last year.

These loan funds are supposed to top up $50 million in NSW and Australian government grants to help pay for the EDE.

Council has no plan for how to pay for cost overruns or what it will do if tenders come in over the $86 million budgeted for the road construction.

If you don’t support the EDE, including lending developers $36 million over 20 years for their share of the construction costs, then make a submission.

Send your submission to the General Manager, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, PO Box 90 Queanbeyan NSW 2620 or by email to [email protected] before 8 June.

People continue to call for a halt to the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) and investment instead in a better transport plan.

We presented more signatures on our petition against the EDE at the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council meeting in Bungendore on Wednesday, 24 May.

The additional signatures were collected online and in person between 22 February and 23 May 2017 and bring to 1,424 the number of people who have signed the petition so far.

It’s not too late for the council and the NSW Government (managing the tender process) to see sense and halt the project while a sustainable transport strategy is developed involving the whole community.

If you haven’t sign the petition yet, sign it now.

https://www.communityrun.org/petitions/put-the-brakes-on-the-ellerton-drive-extension-proposed-for-queanbeyan

Close to $2 million in loan funding for the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) is to be allocated in 2017-18, according to the draft Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council budget papers.

This is the first instalment of $36 million the Council is loaning developers under a 20-year repayment deal.

The $1.9 million of Council funds would supplement $50 million in joint NSW and Australian government funding for the proposed EDE. The draft budget papers state the Council intends to spend the NSW and Australian government funds first.

If you don't support this funding allocation to the EDE, send your comments on the draft integrated plans 2017-18 to the General Manager, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, PO Box 90 Queanbeyan NSW 2620 or by email to [email protected] before 8 June.

Call for the EDE project to be suspended while the integrated transport strategy is developed with the community.

Hundreds of nest boxes used on a major road project in southern NSW were useless, according to a study RMS commissioned.

So what are we to make of the use of nest boxes along the route of the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension?

Read about the survey.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-19/hume-highway-duplication-failed-to-protect-threatened-animals/8540406?pfmredir=sm&sf80020464=1&smid=Page

There are opportunities this month to ask about issues concerning the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) at community meetings Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council is holding:

3 May – Bungendore, from 6pm at the council chambers in Majara St

10 May – Queanbeyan, from 6pm at the council chambers in Crawford St

17 May – Braidwood, from 6pm at the Braidwood council meeting room on Wallace St.

Topics will include: major projects; the process of amalgamating Queanbeyan and Palerang councils; and the draft budget for 2017-18.

You can also add items to the meeting agenda by sending an email to [email protected], or call the council on 02 6285 6000.

Got questions about the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension?

Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council is holding two ‘drop in’ sessions in April for people to ask questions about the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE).

The sessions are on:

Wednesday 5 April at the Jerrabomberra Community Centre from 6:30 pm – 8 pm &

Saturday 8 April at the Queanbeyan library, from 11 am – 1 pm.

Council advises there will be no formal presentations.

http://www.qcc.nsw.gov.au/Home/QCC-Home-Page

Speak up about what you want for our community.

Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council is asking people their views to help shape a new community vision for the future. The Council will use community feedback to develop a roadmap for future services.

Take the opportunity to tell Council:
We don’t want the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension.
We need to protect our local bushland and river, and the animals that rely on it.
And we want a proper sustainable transport plan, developed by the community, and implemented by the next elected council.

You can find the survey here: http://yourvoice.qprc.nsw.gov.au/our-future-make-it-yours

The survey closes at 5pm on Friday, 10 March, 2017.

You can also post a comment on the council’s Facebook page.https://www.facebook.com/QbnPalerangRC/?ref=page_internal&rc=p

More people call for a halt to the EDE and for a better transport plan

Dozens more people have called for a halt to the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) in the past month as opposition to the project continue to grow.

People are demanding the council develop the long-promised sustainable transport strategy.

We presented another 46 signatures to the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council meeting at Bungendore on 22 February 2017.

The new signatures were collected online between 21 January and 21 February 2017. They bring to 1,406 the number of people who have signed the petition so far.

Instead of cutting down and crushing more homes for wildlife, the council needs to rescind the decision to approve the EDE, prepare the foreshadowed transport strategy in consultation with the new regional community, and allow the next elected Council to implement the transport strategy.

Vote no to the EDE - Queanbeyan Age opinion poll

Anyone who thinks the EDE will benefit the community isn't across the details. This is a road to open up land on the escarpment to build 280 houses on lots between 600 - 1000 sq metre (therefore hardly likely to be 'affordable') in an ecologically sensitive zone and a high bushfire risk area. It is to be funded largely by the public purse ($50 million in NSW and Australian government grants) and a $36 million loan from Queanbeyan-Palerang ratepayers and residents to developers, approved by the Administrator Tim Overall.

We need a proper transport plan that takes accounts of everyone's transport needs, and a real bypass.

Vote 'No' to the EDE. http://www.queanbeyanagechronicle.com.au/story/4435908/should-the-ellerton-drive-extension-be-built-poll/?cs=1529

We presented the NSW Premier with a letter on behalf of four community groups when she visited Queanbeyan today, asking her to intervene in the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension project.

We told her the EDE does not represent value for money for the $25 million in grant funding that her government has pledged.

A more effective use of NSW government funds would be to upgrade 13 intersections which a council-commissioned traffic study found would improve traffic flows across the city network and would be needed with or without the EDE.

We asked the Premier to pause the road project until September 2017 and allow the next elected council to decide the best transport options in consultation with the entire community.

The letter is signed by the following groups: Queanbeyan Conservation Alliance; Jerrabomberra Residents’ Association; Greenleigh Residents’ Group; Residents Opposed to the Ellerton Drive Extension.

More than 100 hollow-bearing trees – homes for wildlife – have been destroyed to make way for the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension.

The total of 105 trees is almost twice as many as the number council first advised in responses to Public Forum questions late last year when the target was 55 trees.

This is in addition to crushing 44 termite mounds used by Rosenberg’s goanna to lay their eggs.

Details are in the response to questions dated 25 January 2017.

http://www.qcc.nsw.gov.au/Council/Have-your-say/Public-Forums/Public-Forums

Administrator Tim Overall advised at Wednesday’s council meeting in Bungendore that the clearing had finished, ahead of the 31 January cut off imposed by the Office of Environment and Heritage.

Four members of the public spoke against the clearing at the council meeting, including expressing concerns after witnessing clearing not undertaken according to regulations, exposing wildlife to harm.

Tim Overall dismissed their remarks.

Opposition to the proposed Ellerton drive Extension (EDE) continues to grow, with more people signing our petition against the road and calling for a sustainable transport strategy.

We presented another 35 signatures at the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council meeting at Bungendore on 25 January 2017.

The new signatures were collected online between 14 December 2016 and 22 January 2017, most since the council started clearing hollow-bearing trees and termite mounds in early January.

The additional signatures bring to 1361 the number of people who have signed the petition so far.

It’s well past time for the council to rescind the decision to approve the EDE, prepare the foreshadowed transport strategy in consultation with the new regional community, and allow the next elected Council to implement the transport strategy.

Thanks for the great support for our campaign. We'll be presenting the latest signatures to the council at the first meeting of the year on Wednesday 25 January, from 5:30 pm at Bungendore chambers. There is also an opportunity to speak at the meeting about the felling of hollow-bearing trees and destruction of termite mounds.

There's plenty of news about the campaign to stop the EDE on our Facebook page and website. Check out what people are saying and what the media is reporting. See the photos showing the terrible damage being done. https://www.facebook.com/Stop-the-Ellerton-Drive-Extension-in-Queanbeyan-389755134466894/

Keep the signatures coming. We'll be presenting the latest ones to Administrator Tim Overall at the first council meeting of the year, on Wednesday 25 January at Bungendore. Why not come along and tell the Administrator what you think of the proposed EDE and the shocking destruction of native trees and termite mounds that the council is overseeing. More info here: http://www.qcc.nsw.gov.au/Council/Council-Meetings/Ordinary-meeting-documents-2017/Ordinary-meeting-documents-2017

We need your support now to stop the destruction. Contact John Barilaro and tell him to stop the clearing. Demand a democratic process - no decision on the EDE until after we elect a council to represent our interests in September. http://www.johnbarilaro.com.au

And sign the petition, and ask others to do the same.

The Canberra Times is reporting Member for Eden-Monaro Mike Kelly on the undemocratic process that lead to approval of the road. Read the full report here: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/the-ellerton-drive-extension-that-promises-to-free-up-queanbeyans-roads-but-is-splitting-the-community-and-putting-pressure-on-tim-overall-20170112-gtq6x3.html

Greens MPs Mehreen Faruqi and Senator Lee Rhiannon called on the Member for Monaro and Deputy Premier John Barilaro to step in and stop the clearing pending the outcome of investigations to re-direct government road grants to more effective road works that won't destroy our precious environment or impose unacceptable impacts on people. Read their media statement: https://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/2017/01/12/greens-mps-call-for-halt-to-tree-felling/

Council has started felling trees and destroying termite mounds on the route of the proposed EDE after getting approval from the Australian Government Environment Minister on Tuesday. Giant remnant box gum trees came thundering down as residents looked on. An impromptu demonstration delayed clearing for a short time before police arrived to remove people. Administrator Tim Overall, the biggest booster for the road, was nowhere to be seen, sending out the general manager and chief engineer to defend the indefensible. Read more on our Facebook Page and website: https://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com

We presented the latest signatures on our petition to stop the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension to the last Council meeting for the year on 14 December.

There were 19 more signatures on our petition that also calls for a Sustainable Transport Strategy.

The additional signatures were collected online and in hard copy between 9 November and 13 December 2016 and bring to 1326 the number of people who have signed the petition so far.

Keep the signatures coming and we'll be back next year to present them to the council.

Plans to destroy dozens of hollow-bearing trees and termite mounds that Rosenberg’s goanna use are on hold after the Australian Government deferred a decision on national environmental approval for the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE).

Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC) had called tenders for the clearing, the first stage in building the proposed EDE, in expectation of getting NSW and Australian government approvals before Christmas.

But the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy has extended the time it can take to make a decision by 60 business days, until 7 March 2017.

This means the council cannot remove trees or termite mounds for at least another three months.

A three-month delay in the EPBC approval process throws out the project timeline.

You can find the EPBC deferral notice at http://epbcnotices.environment.gov.au/_entity/annotation/f9561a9d-4ebb-e611-b33d-005056ba00a7/a71d58ad-4cba-48b6-8dab-f3091fc31cd5?t=1481021766693

The Senate today lent its support to our campaign to stop the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension, calling on the Australian Government Environment and Energy Minister to withhold a critical approval.

The Minister, Josh Frydenberg, is considering whether to grant approval for the proposed road under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity (EPBC) Act . A decision is expected by 5 December.

Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council is anticipating getting the go ahead, calling tenders to start preliminary clearing of hollow-bearing trees and termite mounds before Christmas.

While the Senate motion does not bind the Minister, it sends a strong message.

Read the full motion on our website https://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com or go to the Hansard at
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/chamber/hansards/e7337364-8906-4997-8e24-5b67db7968a7/toc_pdf/Senate_2016_11_24_4606.pdf;fileType=application%2Fpdf

”It’s time to get back to grassroots politics and connect to your community, to listen and bring that message back to the parliament.”

So said the Deputy Premier and Member for Monaro, John Barilaro, after his promotion last week.

http://www.queanbeyanagechronicle.com.au/…/monaro-a-top-p…/…

We agree. It’s time for him to listen to the community’s concerns about the proposed EDE and work with everyone to deliver a real solution to our transport needs.

Let John Barilaro know your views. http://www.johnbarilaro.com.au/contact

Find out what we learned at this week's council and community update meetings, plus answers to Public Forum questions. A summary is provided on our website: https://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/2016/11/11/what-we-learned-at-meetings-this-week/

Find out what's happening with the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension. Come along to the community update meeting on Wednesday, 9 November, from 6:30 pm at the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council chambers in Crawford St, Queanbeyan.

Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council has released a report responding to public comments about the harm the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) would cause the environment.

The report has been released for information only and can be found here:
http://www.qcc.nsw.gov.au/Articles-for-documents-on-exhibition/Exhibition-of-final-EPBC-preliminary-documentation

The Environment Department has 40 business days from the release of this report to decide whether to grant EPBC approval for the road project and what, if any, conditions to apply including the ‘biodiversity offset’ that’s supposed to compensate for the environmental harm of the road.

We understand a decision is due on 5 December, although it could be sooner.

Read more https://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/2016/10/22/council-dismisses-concerns-about-ede-harm-to-the-environment/

Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council is preparing to send in the bulldozers to destroy the homes of native animals that environmental laws are supposed to protect as it ploughs on with plans to build the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE).

In a media statement issued today, the council said trees (which include hollows that provide homes for birds and other tree-dwelling animals like gliders) and termite mounds (critical habitat for Rosenberg’s goanna) would be removed before the end of the year.

That’s just the start of the destruction. The council hopes to start building the road by mid-2017 – a few months before we get the opportunity to elect a new council.

But it’s not too late to stop the EDE and develop a real solution to our transport challenges. And that’s what we intend to do.

Add your voice; sign our campaign petition

Read the council statement: http://www.qcc.nsw.gov.au/Latest-News/Ellerton-Drive-Extension-progressing-towards-construction

Queanbeyan-Palerang residents continue to add their voice to the growing call to scrap the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE).

This week the Queanbeyan Conservation Alliance and Jerrabomberra Residents Association presented to the council meeting another 23 signatures on our petition opposing the EDE and calling for a Sustainable Transport Strategy.

The additional signatures were collected online between 13 July 2016 and 11 October 2016 and bring to 1275 the number of people who have signed the petition so far.

Administrator Tim Overall needs to call a halt to the EDE and instead prepare the foreshadowed transport strategy in consultation with the new regional community and allow the next elected council to implement the transport strategy.

Haven’t signed the petition yet? Sign now.

Already signed? Ask a friend to sign.

Get along to one of the upcoming community meetings to ask about the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension and the promised transport strategy:

• Captains Flat – Wednesday 19 October at Captains Flat Community Hall, 6 pm
• Bungendore – Wednesday 26 October at Bungendore Council Chambers, 6.30 pm
• Queanbeyan – Wednesday 9 November at Queanbeyan Council Chambers commencing, 6.30 pm
• Braidwood – Wednesday 16 November at Council Meeting Room, 6 pm

NSW nature under threat - it's time to act

Queanbeyan’s unique and precious escarpment and river corridor are the only part of NSW’s environment under attack.

The NSW Government is proposing changes to laws that will make it easier for landholders to clear native forest and woodland, destroying habitat for many Australian species.

Remnant trees and woodlands in cities and towns across the state are also at risk from clearing to make way for property development.

The Biodiversity Conservation Bill 2016 and Local Land Services Amendment Bill 2016 will lead to a loss of significant bird habitat across the state, according to Birdlife Australia.

Find out what you can do.

https://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/2016/07/28/nsw-nature-under-threat-time-to-act/

People continue to add their name to our petition calling for a halt to the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension and for Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council to get on with developing a sustainable transport plan for our community.

We presented 27 more signatures on our petition to the council meeting on 13 July.

The additional signatures were collected online between 15 June and 12 July 2016 and bring to 1252 the number of people who have signed the petition so far.

Presenting the petition, we urged council to heed the call of these signatories and:
- rescind the decision to approve the EDE
- prepare the foreshadowed transport strategy in consultation with the new regional community, and
- allow the next elected council to implement the transport strategy.

If you haven’t signed the petition, sign now.

The prospect of delivering a better transport plan for our community is a step closer after Labor candidate Mike Kelly was elected to Eden-Monaro at the 2 July federal election.

We are heartened by this result and will be working with Mike Kelly to deliver an alternative to the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension which is causing great distress and division in our community. We are hopeful of finding a solution that will deliver an improved traffic network across the city without destroying the river and escarpment or the health and wellbeing of residents, which does not risk the city's finances and which includes a much better public transport system.

If the council under Administrator Tim Overall won't see sense then it's time the NSW Government did.

Keep the signatures coming and we'll keep presenting them to the council.

A decision on whether to build the Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) is imminent. A three-member panel appointed by the Administrator of Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, Tim Overall, will meet on 30 June 2016 to consider the project.

It’s vital that as many people as possible opposing the EDE attend the meeting. Come along and speak - even for one minute. It’s really important that the panel members hear from you.

You can register to speak: via phone , email, or from 5pm on the night of the meeting.

Find out more here: www.qcc.nsw.gov.au/Articles-for-documents-on-exhibition/Meeting-regarding-proposed-Ellerton-Drive-Extension

The Administrator of Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, Tim Overall threw democracy out the window this evening in a bid to expedite approval of the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) before the federal election on 2 July.

The panel, comprising Tim Overall, Vic May (Administrator of Auburn Council) and Richard Colley (Administrator Richard Colley, Administrator of merged Canada Bay, Burwood and Strathfield councils) will hold a public meeting at 5:30pm on Thursday, 30 June to decide whether to approve the EDE. Presentations of up to five minutes from members of the public will be allowed.

Make sure you turn up to have your say.

People continue to add their voices to the call for a sustainable transport strategy – not the $100 million-plus proposed Ellerton Drive Extension.

We presented another 27 signatures to Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council on 15 June.

The new signatures bring to 1,225 the number of people demanding a better transport plan.

Some people said why they had signed the petition. Their reasons include a concern to protect our unique native animals and plants. Others said the costs far outweighed any promised benefits.

If you haven’t signed the petition, do so now.

We will keep presenting signatures. Our voice is growing louder. Our call is logical, reasonable and just.

The Administrator of Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, Tim Overall, looks set to appoint an advisory committee to help him decide whether to approve the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE).

Mr Overall has called an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council for Wednesday, 15 June from 5:30pm in Queanbeyan.

One of the items is an update on the EDE.

The business paper lists an agenda item 4.2 Appointment of Advisory Committee – Consideration of EDE Determination – Supplementary Report will be available prior to meeting.
No more information has been provided about this item.

What does ‘will be available prior to meeting’ mean? When we arrive at 5:30 pm?

The meeting business paper can be found here: http://www.qcc.nsw.gov.au/Council/Council-Meetings/Ordinary-meeting-documents-2016

With $25 million of Australian Government funds in the mix for the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension, we asked the candidates for Eden-Monaro about their views on transport policy and the EDE. We have received four responses. You can read them here before you vote in the federal election: https://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/what-you-can-do/

The EDE would destroy forest, woodland and grassland, The proposed strategy to 'offset' these losses and their impact on threatened species has to be approved by the Australian Government Environment Minister.

The council's draft biodiversity 'offset' strategy fails to meet the legal requirements and will leave our local environment and the animals it supports worse off.

You can comment on the draft strategy up until 3 June. Find details here: http://www.qcc.nsw.gov.au/Articles-for-documents-on-exhibition/Preliminary-documentation-for-Environment-Protection-and-Biodiversity-Conservation-Act-1999

The Australian Labor Party has announced a transport package for the Queanbeyan-Palerang region that includes funding to finish studies on building Dunns Creek Rd and a cross-border forum on improving public transport. You can read the statement on our website: https://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/

Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council will hold a community meeting in Queanbeyan on 25 May at the council chambers from 6pm.

This is a opportunity to ask questions about how the Administrator, Tim Overall, plans to run the council while we are without elected representation for the next 16 months. This includes how he intends to deal with the proposed EDE.

You may recall that the council, before it was dismissed, committed to holding an extraordinary meeting to consider whether to approve the proposed EDE, and allowing everyone who wished to address the council to do so. It’s unclear whether the Administrator plans to uphold this commitment.

More information here: http://www.qcc.nsw.gov.au/Latest-News/Residents-invited-to-community-meetings

A community meeting set for Wednesday 18 May to update people about major Queanbeyan City projects, including the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE), has been cancelled.

Council notified people on its contact list at 10pm on Sunday evening that the meeting, which had been scheduled for weeks, would not proceed.

Instead, an Extraordinary Meeting is to be held at Bungendore on 19 May at 5:30 pm. No information has been provided about the purpose of this meeting.

You can register your protest by contacting the council. Contact details here: www.qcc.nsw.gov.au

You may have heard that on 12 May the NSW Government dismissed Queanbeyan and Palerang councillors and appointed former Queanbeyan Mayor Tim Overall as Administrator for a period of 17 months, until elections for a new merged council – Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council – are held on 9 September 2017.

An Administrator has extensive powers. This includes determining the budget for 2016-17 and 2017-18, and approving development applications. As far as we can tell, the Administrator has the power to decide whether to build the proposed EDE. Given that former Mayor Overall supported the road, it seems likely he will approve it if given the opportunity. However, the Administrator must follow correct procedure and there are still some stumbling blocks.

Please attend the community meeting at the council chambers in Crawford St at 6pm on Wednesday, 18 May. We need to ask the Administrator what he intends to do about the EDE.

The number of people calling for a sustainable transport strategy for Queanbeyan in place of the proposed ineffective Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) continues to grow.

We presented a further 28 signatures to Queanbeyan City Council at its meeting on 11 May 2016.

The additional signatures bring the total to 1198.

It’s well past time for the EDE project to be set aside while the council works with the community to develop a sustainable transport strategy.

Sign the petition now. If you have already signed then encourage a friend to neighbour to sign.

Queanbeyan City Council (QCC) has released the supplementary Species Impact Statement for the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) for public comment by 3 April.

Astonishingly, the statement shows that the footprint of the proposed road has almost doubled – from 26.2 ha to 49.6 ha. Of this expanded footprint, almost two-thirds is ‘indigenous native vegetation’.

The road footprint has expanded because the design of the road has been changed since it was exhibited in late 2014 but Council has said it won’t release the updated road design.

The statement concludes that the impacts of the road would be significant for Rosenberg’s Goanna, Speckled Warbler and Box-Gum Woodland.

Find out more on our website: https://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/2016/03/14/supplementary-species-impact-statement-released-for-public-comment/

We presented another 15 petition signatures to Queanbeyan City Council this week, bringing to 1170 the number of people calling for a halt to the EDE project and for the Council to develop a sustainable, integrated transport plan.

The signatures were presented to the Council’s 24 February meeting on behalf of the Queanbeyan Conservation Alliance and Jerrabomberra Residents Association.

We also urged Council to defer any decision on the proposed EDE until the foreshadowed transport strategy for Queanbeyan is completed. But these calls fell on deaf ears.

Read more on our website https://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/2016/02/24/more-petition-signatures-presented-disappointing-take-on-transport-stratey/

We’re waiting to hear about the fate of the squirrel gliders of Queanbeyan who have inconveniently taken up living close to the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) route.

Sightings of these rare animals sparked further environmental studies late last year. Queanbeyan City Council (QCC) is due to release the findings, in the form of an addendum to the draft Species Impact Statement (SIS) any time now. There will be 28 days for public comment.

The new studies include the effect the road would have on the habitat of the giant Rosenberg’s Goanna, another protected species. This follows changes to the design of the proposed road.

The additional statement will also contain a proposed ‘biodiversity offset’ strategy – what land might be preserved as a trade off for the land to be destroyed.

Read more here:
http://www.qcc.nsw.gov.au/Latest-News/Public-exhibition-of-proposed-Ellerton-Drive-Extension-Species-Impact-Statement-addendum

Key documents about the financial risks of the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) have been withheld from Queanbeyan City councillors and the community.

Preparing a business case is standard practice for government where large sums of money are involved (especially public funds) and for projects that might be risky.

That’s why it’s reasonable to expect a business case to be prepared when the NSW and federal governments are each proposing to spend $25 million of public funds and Queanbeyan City Council is considering borrowing $40 million or upwards to loan developers for their share of the proposed road.

The existence of a business case was finally confirmed in January 2016. But that doesn't mean you can see it.

Read more on our website: https://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/

How will the proposed EDE affect you and your family? It seems your views are not wanted.
The social impact assessment Council finally agreed to in mid-December 2015 will involve interviewing just 10 people. This is clearly inadequate. Visit out website for contact details of people to write to about your concerns. Demand to be heard. But you need to act fast - by 31 January. https://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/

Queanbeyan City Council has confirmed that it has postponed a decision on the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension until more work is done on the impacts on people and the environment if this road is approved.

Council will commission a social impact assessment and release an update to the Species Impact Statement, which will include proposals for 'compensating' for the loss of forest, woodland and grasslands to build the EDE.

This delay is a good outcome as it provides further opportunities to present more information to councillors before they make a decision.

Read the council statement at http://www.qcc.nsw.gov.au/Latest-News/Ellerton-Dr-Extension-Update

We learned late on Wednesday, 9 December 2015 that Queanbeyan City Council won't be holding an Extraordinary Meeting this month to decide whether to build the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE).

A meeting had been foreshadowed for 17 December. However, information from council sources is that a decision is unlikely to be made until at least April 2016.

We understand that a proposal to commission a social impact assessment is to be put to next Wednesday's regular council meeting (16 December), and that the Office of Environment and Heritage will be undertaking more studies into our previously unknown squirrel glider population.

We'll post more information when it's available.

It’s common practice now for governments to require a business case to be prepared when handing out large sums of public funds or spending on major projects. It’s done for all sorts of grants and it’s done for roads. Or, it seems it’s done for some roads.

In late November, NSW Premier Mike Baird released the business case for the controversial West Connex road project in Sydney.

But the people of Queanbeyan City have never seen a business case for the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension. Why not? Does it even exist? And if it does exist, what reason could there possibly be for keeping it from the community that is being asked to go guarantor for the developers’ share of the cost by virtue of providing an loan?

There is no valid reason for withholding the business case – if one has even been prepared. Queanbeyan City Council must release the business case for the proposed EDE, before councillors vote on 17 December on whether to build the road.

If you’re one of the many people around Queanbeyan worried about the social impacts of the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension and the refusal of Queanbeyan City Council to address them you might like to pop along to the council meeting on Wednesday, 25 November.

Cr Jamie Cregan has placed a question on notice about the matter, including what social impact studies or considerations were undertaken.

The responses to his question won’t be provided on Wednesday night but there will be an opportunity to address the council about the item. You need to register with the Clerk before 5:30pm to be able to speak.

Building the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) would do almost nothing to reduce congestion in the main street, according to figures Queanbeyan City Council released in its November edition of City Life.

The number of vehicles crossing the Queens Bridge over Queanbeyan River each day in 2014 was 20,567, according to the QCC figures.

The projected traffic flows in 2031 are:

19,425 with the EDE and no Dunns Creek Rd (DCR)
22,335 with neither road
21,580 with DCR and no EDE
These figures confirm the revelation by council staff earlier this year that the EDE would at best reduce main street traffic volumes by 5%.

Read more on our website: https://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/

We presented more petition signatures to Queanbeyan City Councillors on Wednesday 11 November. The latest signatures, collected online and at the Googong shops, bring the total to 1155 people.

Clearly, many people in Queanbeyan City are unhappy about the idea of spending close to $100 million – at least half of it sourced from government grants – on a road that won’t solve our transport problems or meet our future transport needs.

We know many people have written to councillors in response to our extensive letterboxing effort of the past few weeks. Thanks to everyone who has taken the trouble to write.

If you haven’t fired off an email or made a telephone call, then now is the time to do so. Councillors are expected to decide on 17 December whether to build the proposed EDE.

Find contact details here: http://www.qcc.nsw.gov.au/Council/Council-and-councillors/Elected-Member-and-contact-details/Elected-Members-and-contact-details

Queanbeyan City Councillors are expected to vote on the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension on 17 December 2015 at an Extraordinary Meeting in the Bicentennial Hall.

The date was confirmed in responses to Public Forum questions provided on Wednesday 11 November. Read the responses here: http://www.qcc.nsw.gov.au/Council/Have-your-say/Public-Forums/Public-Forums

We’ll need to keep an eye on the QCC website for confirmation that the meeting is going ahead but save the date. We need as many people as possible to attend this meeting.

Mayor Tim Overall has promised that everyone who wants to address councillors will be allowed to do so. Even on the night it’s not too late to persuade wavering councillors to halt the EDE project.

Queanbeyan City Council plans to vote in December on whether to build the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE).

Staff told a community meeting at the Council chambers on 5 November that a meeting would be held before Christmas.

In response to questions, Mayor Tim Overall confirmed an Extraordinary Meeting would be held in the Bicentennial Hall and that every member of the public who wanted to speak would be given the opportunity to do so.

Council sources advised that a workshop for councillors has been scheduled for 8 December to discuss the Determination Report – Council’s written response to submissions received during the public consultation period from December 2014-February 2015.

Read more on our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Stop-the-Ellerton-Drive-Extension-in-Queanbeyan-389755134466894/?fref=ts

There are just a few days left to tell Queanbeyan City Council that building the Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) is the worst transport option for our community and that it will do too much harm to places we want protected.

Council plans to update a key planning document – the Queanbeyan Residential and Economic Strategy 2006 – 2031. The strategy sets the direction for land planning for the next 15 years.

It is also supposed to give effect to the community’s values and priorities expressed in the Queanbeyan Tomorrow Community Vision 2021. Key among these is protecting the local environment including the Eastern Escarpment and Queanbeyan River.

Building the EDE is no way to respect the values that Queanbeyan residents have told council matter to us.

Make a submission by Friday, 16 October. Find out more here http://www.qcc.nsw.gov.au/Documents-on-Public-Exhibition/Documents/Draft-Review-of-Qbyn-Residential-and-Economic-Strategy-2006-2031

QCC has released a revised Queanbeyan Residential and Economic Strategy 2031 that recommends pushing ahead with the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) without a proper transport plan for all the community’s transport needs.

It also flags building Dunns Creek Rd, but not before 2041 – that’s another 25 years before almost 17,000 Googong residents get direct road access to the Monaro Highway, where we know most of them will want to go for work.

Send your comments about the updated strategy to council 16 October. Read the draft strategy at the council offices, the city library or online: http://www.qcc.nsw.gov.au/Documents-on-Public-Exhibition/Documents/Draft-Review-of-Qbyn-Residential-and-Economic-Strategy-2006-2031

Queanbeyan City Council will be holding community meetings next month to update people on major projects, including the proposed EDE. The meetings are on:

- 5 November from 6pm at the Council Chambers, Crawford St, Queanbeyan
- 17 November from 6pm at the Fernleigh Community Hall, Swan Dr, Googong

Residents can ask questions of Council representatives. Submit items to be included on the agenda by emailing [email protected].

Queanbeyan sold a dud!

That’s how Queanbeyan City councillor Kenrick Winchester sums up the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) in the latest edition of the District Bulletin.

Read his interview with the newspaper’s editor Maria Taylor and his opinion piece.

There’s also an article from Queanbeyan correspondent Graham Franklin-Brown offering more of his astute observations of local political machinations concerning the proposed EDE.

Read the edition online: http://districtbulletin.com.au/

You can try picking up a print copy of the newspaper in selected outlets in Queanbeyan CBD (Riverside Plaza and the library), Jerrabomberra and Karabar shopping centres. But be quick because this newspaper gets snapped up like those proverbial hot cakes.

Read this great post on ABC Open about the native animals at risk if the Ellerton Drive Extension is built.

NATIVE ANIMALS: How do you live with them?

It all started with some cheeky and endearing photos. In late April 2015, we emailed Queanbeyan Council some photos of a family of gliders we’ve observed over many years on our property. We sent those and other wildlife photos in to show the high biodiversity of the area we live in and to highlight some of what Queanbeyan residents will lose if a proposed road is built through many of Queanbeyan’s residential areas, the town’s eastern escarpment and box gum woodland.

Read more here: https://open.abc.net.au/explore/82ju4ep

Almost half of the people surveyed in the latest Queanbeyan City Council Customer Satisfaction Survey who had a view about access to public transport gave it the thumbs done.

The statement put to the 602 residents and ratepayers who responded to the survey was:

Queanbeyan has easy access to public transport.

What did people say?

9.4% didn’t have a view
Of the 90.6 per cent who did have a view, 46.9% either strong agreed or tended to agree
That left 43.7% who either strongly disagreed or tended to disagree

Read more here https://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/2015/09/30/queanbeyans-public-transport-gets-the-thumbs-down/

The alignment for Dunns Creek Rd has been chosen but Queanbeyan City Council is insisting it will wait at least 25 years to build the road to link Googong directly to the Monaro Highway.

This is despite proposing additional housing along Old Cooma Rd in an area called Googong South.

Read more here: https://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/2015/09/25/dunns-creek-rd-alignment-chosen-but-the-build-is-at-least-25-years-off/

Most people living along and/or using Old Cooma Rd wouldn’t use the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) because they need to travel in the opposite direction most of the time.

That’s the key finding of a survey of 306 residents living in Burra, Little Burra, Googong, Fernleigh Park, Royalla and Mt Campbell, conducted for Queanbeyan City Council (QCC) in July/August 2015.

Councillors who oppose or are questioning the push for the EDE initiated the survey.

Read more on our website: https://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/2015/09/23/traffic-survey-confirms-ede-is-the-wrong-road-for-most-old-cooma-rd-users/

Major changes are being considered to the design of the bridge over Queanbeyan River as part of the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE).

Queanbeyan City Council (QCC) has confirmed it is considering:

removing the median strip along a road that is proposed to carry B-Double trucks so close to people’s homes they will need to keep their doors and windows sealed around the clock because of excessive noise

reducing the amount of street lighting

reducing the extent of earthworks and

changing the position of noise barriers.

Asked why the changes were being made, QCC said: “These changes are being considered in response to public comments.” See responses to Public Forum questions 23 September 2015 at http://www.qcc.nsw.gov.au/Your-Council/Public-Forums

Half of Jerrabomberra residents asked recently about the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) oppose the project.

Fewer than one in five people support the project while more than one in four don’t have a view or don’t know enough about the project to form a view.

These are the findings of a survey of 242 people conducted at the Jerrabomberra shops on two consecutive weekends in July and August 2015.

The Jerrabomberra Residents’ Association (JRA) conducted the survey as part of the group’s work to demonstrate to Queanbeyan City Councillors that the project would cause significant problems for people living in Jerrabomberra.

Jerrabomberra residents are concerned about increased traffic volumes and congestion at peak periods, traffic noise, particularly for people living along the Edwin Land Parkway and nearby roads, and safety for people trying to cross Edwin Land Parkway.

Read more about the survey on our website http://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/

We presented another 137 signatures on our petition opposing the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension tonight, bringing the total number to 1139.

The additional signatures were collected online and at the Jerrabomberra shops from 24 June to 8 August 2015.

People in Jerrabomberra are particularly concerned about increased traffic noise and traffic congestion, and the safety of people trying to cross Edwin Land Parkway, which Council-commissioned traffic studies show will become busier as Googong township grows.

These concerns, supported by other feedback we have received in different parts of Queanbeyan, and surveys we have conducted this year all add weight to our call for Council to halt the proposal to build the EDE and instead develop a better transport plan to meet the community’s transport needs.

It’s time for Queanbeyan councillors to heed the concerns of the growing number of residents opposed to the EDE.

Haven’t signed the petition yet? Sign it here.

Queanbeyan City Mayor Tim Overall has endorsed the farcical telephone poll Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) conducted about the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension. RMs released the survey results on 23 July 2015.

Read more https://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=495&action=edit&postpost=v2

Queanbeyan City councillors will convene a workshop to consider a report on Dunns Creek Rd, an alternative to the proposed EDE.

The report was prepared by consultants GHD, who have also been undertaking work for CIC, developers of Googong and proponents for building at Jumping Creek Estate.

The report raises a number of questions that councillors will explore before determining what further action to take. Matters that need clarifying include:
- how the authors arrived at estimates close to the cost to build the Majura Parkway, which is longer and has 12 bridges, including over the Molonglo River
- why cost estimates include contingency amounts of between 39% and 59%
- why different reports identify different plant species and ecological communities at the same location

The workshop provides an opportunity to shed more light on Dunns Creek Rd, which the Googong and Tralee traffic study did not assess in the same way as it did the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension.

The Council endorsed survey of residents in Googong, Fernleigh Park, Mt Campbell, Burra and Little Burra has been distributed. Residents only have until Friday 31 July to respond.

The survey involves around 1000 households. Residents can complete a form and return it by post or log in to an online survey using a code.

This is your chance to give feedback to the council about its proposal to build the Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE). The proposed EDE would generate more traffic congestion in most parts of the road network, according to studies the council commissioned, making it an unacceptable response to meeting our community’s transport needs.

If you oppose the EDE and want a more effective transport plan for Queanbeyan then make sure you complete this survey.

If you haven’t received a survey contact the council on 6285 6000 or email [email protected]

Queanbeyan City Mayor Tim Overall has confirmed that the proposal to build the Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) has stalled, with the timeline for completing the project in disarray.

Cr Overall presented a Mayoral Minute to the Council’s 24 June 2015 meeting about having discussed a number of Queanbeyan matters with Prime Minister Tony Abbott at a Canberra Business Chamber breakfast meeting on 22 June. These matters included ‘the current status of the EDE, the approval processes and timeline.’

In response to questions at Wednesday’s council meeting he stated that there was no timeline to complete the EDE project. Council was required to do more environmental work, he said, without elaborating.

This development appears to have thrown the project timeline into disarray.

We’ve presented our first 1,000 signatures calling for a halt to the proposed EDE and in support of a better transport plan for Queanbeyan.

We presented the latest instalment of signatures to Queanbeyan City Council on behalf of the Queanbeyan Conservation Alliance on 24 June 2015, taking the total number of people who have signed our petition to 1002.

The additional signatures were collected door-to-door and online up to 23 June 2015.

Most of these additional signatures were collected from Cooma St residents and people living in side streets in response to conversations we have had with them over the past few weeks.

An Extraordinary Meeting of Queanbeyan City Council foreshadowed to decide whether to borrow upwards of $40 million towards the cost of building the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) has been cancelled.

The meeting had been set down for 17 June 2015 although it had not been officially confirmed before it was cancelled.

It’s understood Council staff are still busily preparing background information for councillors, information which is needed before they can deliberate on whether to approve loan borrowings of $40 million or more.

A new meeting date to consider loan borrowings has not been set but is expected to be sometime in July.

The telephone survey about the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension that Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has commissioned has attracted some criticism for asking leading questions and ignoring councillors’ preferred questions.

The Queanbeyan Age reported on the matter this week. http://www.queanbeyanage.com.au/story/3109816/rms-back-ede-push-poll/?cs=1529

Does the survey amount to 'push-polling'? If you've received a call then you can judge for yourself. Everyone else will need to wait until RMS releases the questions to the public.

Support for our petition to halt the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) continues to grow.

Tonight we presented Queanbeyan City Council with another 49 signatures collected online and through conversations on people’s doorsteps.

The new signatures bring to 930 the number of people backing a better transport plan.

As more people learn and understand the impacts the proposed EDE would have and what it won’t achieve they are signing on.

The petition will remain open for as long as Council is considering approving the proposed EDE, so there is still time to sign it or to encourage your family, friends and neighbours to back our bid for a better alternative.

The talk around town is that Queanbeyan City Council will hold an Extraordinary Meeting on 17 June to decide whether to borrow upwards of $40 million to cover the funding gap to build the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE).

The estimated construction cost for the road alone now stands at $90 million, according to informed sources.

That’s $90 million (and likely more) to build 4.6km or roadway to funnel thousands more cars into existing traffic bottlenecks.

Under the original loan proposal that staff put before councillors late last year, developers would be required to repay the loan to Council over 20 years.

The community still hasn’t seen any detail about repayment schedules or how cost overruns would be managed.

And councillors are still waiting on updated cost estimates to build Dunns Creek Rd, which would take Googong and Tralee traffic directly to the Monaro Highway, not into town.

Do you know where councillors stand on the loan proposal? Why not ask them?

Responses to some of the many questions taken on notice at the April community forum on the proposed EDE have been posted on Queanbeyan City Council’s website.

Responses can be found at http://www.qcc.nsw.gov.au/Ellerton-Drive-Extension/EDE under “Questions from community forum”.

Council is aiming to respond to 150 more written questions by 20 May.

The turn out to the April forum was remarkable. Long-standing Queanbeyan residents said they couldn’t recall when they last saw so many people attend such a community meeting.

Read the Queanbeyan Age report of the forum: http://www.queanbeyanage.com.au/story/3047474/patience-tested-at-ede-forum/

Queanbeyan City Council has agreed to accept a proposal from Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) to fund the conduct of a telephone poll about the proposed EDE.

But councillors insisted they see the questions and endorse them before the poll goes ahead, most likely in May 2015.

The timing of the poll is curious, coming almost three months after the formal public consultation process ended on 9 February 2015. Some of the proposed methods and timing also raised questions about how balanced, representative and useful the telephone poll would be.

Council is expected to consider draft questions at its 13 May meeting and the poll is then likely to be conducted in the second half of May. Results will be provided to councillors before they decide whether to approve the EDE.

We tabled more signatures on our EDE petition at the Queanbeyan City Council meeting on 23 April 2015.

These signatures bring to 881 the number of people who’ve signed on to support a better transport option for Queanbeyan.

And another four people signed in the past 24 hours.

You can still sign the petition. If you’ve signed already, encourage your friends, family and neighbours to sign on, too.

Queanbeyan City Mayor Tim Overall says he thinks he has a mandate to approve the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension.

He told the Queanbeyan Age (17 April 2015): “In the 2012 election I very publicly stated my position on the community’s stated aim of dealing with Queanbeyan’s increasing traffic issues including the EDE. Having received 55 per cent of the primary vote for Mayor… I would suggest there is mandate to go forward with this matter.”

Is Mayor Overall suggesting that the views of residents who made submissions during Council's community consultation process don't matter?

Is he planning to ignore our petition against the proposed EDE, or the overwhelming opposition to the EDE from respondents to the survey we conducted in early 2015?

Is Mayor Overall suggesting that the views of other councillors don't matter?

Read the full report: http://www.queanbeyanage.com.au/story/3017993/ellerton-drive-campaign-heats-up-on-facebook/?cs=1529

Queanbeyan councillors were warned against attending the East Queanbeyan and Greenleigh residents neighbourhood meeting in early April.

The Acting General Manager wrote to councillors suggesting their appearance and comments at such a meeting could fall foul of Council's code of conduct.

Read more in the Queanbeyan Age: http://www.queanbeyanage.com.au/story/3002800/councillors-warned-on-discussing-ede/?cs=1529

Supporters of the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension have suggested that efforts of Queanbeyan City Councillors to obtain a proper cost estimate of building Dunns Creek Rd amount to a delaying tactic.

This just doesn't make sense. Queanbeyan City Council received a grant from the previous Liberal-National state government to undertake this work but years later no information has been presented to councillors.

Supporters of the proposed EDE rely on dubious guesstimates of the cost of building Dunns Creek Rd as a reason to reject this option. Until more work is undertaken into the best road alignment and consequential matters then a more accurate cost estimate will remain elusive.

Council's majority decision at the 25 March meeting is simply designed to ensure councillors and the community have all the facts they need to make a well-informed decision about the best option to meet Queanbeyan's transport needs now and into the future.

There was a strong turn out of East Queanbeyan and Greenleigh residents neighbourhood meeting on Thursday 2 April 2015 to discuss the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension and its potential impacts on the neighbourhood and wider community.

There was overwhelming opposition from the 60 or so people who gathered and a determination to do all they can to persuade Queanbeyan City Councillors not to approve the EDE and a loan of more than $25 million for the developer’s contribution to the cost.

Residents raised a number of issues. Read more on our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-the-Ellerton-Drive-Extension-in-Queanbeyan/389755134466894

Contrary to what some supporters of the Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) are claiming, the proposed road is not fully funded.

The final cost of the proposed road is still unknown. The last estimate Queanbeyan City Council issued, in late 2014, was $75 million. At the same time, QCC staff said the final cost wouldn’t be known until and unless council approved the road and called for tenders to build it.

Read more on our Facebook page.

East Queanbeyan and Greenleigh residents have an opportunity to speak directly with councillors who have concerns about the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) at a meeting on Thursday, 2 April 2015.

This is the latest neighbourhood meeting hosted by the Queanbeyan Conservation Alliance.

If built, the EDE has the potential to seriously damage the health and amenity of hundreds of residents in this area.

A number of our councillors are concerned about this project and the proposed arrangement to fund it. They are working hard to ensure that public money is invested transparently, on the right projects, and without the community having to inherit a legacy of debt.

Come along to the end of Ellerton Drive, Queanbeyan East at 6:30 pm on Thursday April 2 and talk to concerned councillors about any issues you may have regarding this project.

The Queanbeyan Conservation Alliance and the Jerrabomberra Residents’ Association hosted a forum on 15 March 2015 to find out where the candidates for Monaro stand on the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension. Dave Lavers of Labyrinth Consulting services, a professional facilitator and a Jerrabomberra resident, facilitated the forum at the Jerrabomberra Community Centre. The event followed the transport forum held in August 2014.

Around 50 people attended. They had an opportunity to identify the big issues they see for our community, now and in the near future. Candidates were asked a series of questions developed from the community feedback at the August transport forum.

At the 15 March forum, people were also provided with an opportunity to lodge written questions with candidates. These questions, along with the issues people identified, can be read here: https://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/2015/03/01/where-do-the-candidates-for-monaro-stand-on-the-ede/

Council sets date for EDE forum
Queanbeyan City Council (QCC)’s community forum on the EDE will be held on Tuesday, 28 April. The event was agreed at Council’s February meeting to provide an opportunity for people to ask questions about the traffic and other studies on which the proposed EDE is based.

Mayor Overall said in his column in the Queanbeyan Age on 20 March that representatives from the Roads and Maritme Service (formerly RTA), traffic engineers from the consultants that developed the traffic study and consultants who prepared the noise study, Review of Environmental Factors, and Species Impact Statement all will attend.

The forum will be held in the Bicentennial Hall in Crawford St, from 6:30pm.

The candidates for the seat of Monaro have spoken about their position on the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension for Queanbeyan and related transport matters. Read what they had to say: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/nsw-election--the-buzz-around-the-act-20150313-1402q9.html

The overwhelming support for our campaign for a better solution to Queanbeyan's transport problems seems to have sparked a pro-EDE response. You can check it out on Facebook and Twitter. The Facebook page has an artist's impression of a four-lane EDE - something Queanbeyan City Council said it didn't intend to build. https://www.facebook.com/ellertondrive

Don't forget to register to attend the Meet-the-Candidate forum on transport for Queanbeyan. The event is on Sunday, 15 March 2015, from 2pm - 4pm at the Jerrabomberra Community Centre.. Register here: http://www.communityswitch.com.au/events/view/11033/meet-the-candidate-forum---queanbeyan-transport-/

Check out this video clip about the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension. It explains why this is NOT the best solution to Queanbeyan's transport problems. www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nAGqCHtTqE

You don’t need to wait until March 28 to cast a vote on the proposed EDE. Visit the Queanbeyan Roads website where you can vote on the best road option for Queanbeyan. Visit http://qbnroads.info

Both the NSW and Australian governments have each pledged $25 million for the proposed EDE.

On 28 March every elector can vote in the state election. If the EDE is important to you, then you might like to know where the candidates for the state seat of Monaro stand.

We’ve invited the sitting member, John Barilaro (Nationals), the Labor candidate, Steve Whan, and the Greens candidate Peter Marshall to a Meet-the-Candidate forum on transport. These are the only declared candidates so far.

The forum is being hosted by the Queanbeyan Conservation Alliance and Jerrabomberra Residents Association and will be facilitated by Dave Lavers of Labyrinth Consulting services, a professional facilitator and a Jerrabomberra resident.

The forum will be held on Sunday, 15 March 2015, from 2pm to 4pm at the Jerrabomberra Community Centre.

Queanbeyan City residents will get the opportunity to question key aspects of the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension at a community forum following a decision of Queanbeyan City Council at its meeting on 25 February before a packed public gallery.

It was standing room only in the Council Chambers as more than 50 people answered the call to turn out for debate on several matters about the EDE. We assembled outside to address councillors as they entered the building for their meeting, holding our placards for all to see. There were a few supportive toots from passing motorists as well.

The council’s community forum is likely to be held in April at the Bicentennial Hall in Crawford St. We will provide more details when we have them.

Read more on our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-the-Ellerton-Drive-Extension-in-Queanbeyan/389755134466894

Support for our petition has been fantastic. By the time submissions on the EDE closed on 9 February, we had collected 855 signatures online and in hard copy through extensive doorknocking.

We lodged the petition with Queanbeyan City Council, along with the comments people made about why they signed.

The petition supports the results of our online survey. Of the 141 people who completed the survey, an overwhelming proportion supported a different approach to meeting the community’s transport needs. The survey results and additional comments are on our website.

We sent this material to the councillors, the Member for Monaro, John Barilaro, ALP candidate for Monaro, Steve Whan, and Greens candidate for Monaro, Peter Marshall.

Check out the report and comments on our website. https://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/

Follow the campaign on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-the-Ellerton-Drive-Extension-in-Queanbeyan/389755134466894

Seems like the growing opposition to the Ellerton Drive Extension is making an impression. The Queanbeyan Age is reporting that Googong township developers this week appealed to residents and landowners to lobby Queanbeyan City Council to build the EDE. If you've signed the petition, make a submission by 9 February. Just like every signature, every submission counts. Email council: http://www.qcc.nsw.gov.au/Online-Forms/Feedback---Ellerton-Drive-extension

If you've signed the petition, consider making a submission to Queanbeyan City Council by 4:30pm on Monday, 9 February. Every submission counts. If you need help to get started, check out the template letter on the Queanbeyan Conservation Alliance website
https://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/what-you-can-do/guide-to-making-a-submission/

Our online survey about the Ellerton Drive Extension is open until 5 February 2015.
Check it out here https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QBNEDE

The survey is your opportunity to tell us whether you think the EDE is right for Queanbeyan or whether you support other options.

We’ll report on the results in time to meet Queanbeyan City Council’s submission deadline of 9 February. We’ll also post the results online and make sure they go to each city councillor.

Everyone in Queanbeyan should be concerned about the serious financial risks the proposed Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) poses to our community.

The latest cost estimate for the EDE is $75 million (December 2014). The NSW and Australian governments have offered a combined $50 million in grants. Queanbeyan City Council (QCC) is considering borrowing up to, and possibly more than, $25 million to cover the shortfall. The final amount of any loan is unknown because the final cost of the road is uncertain until tenders are called – if the Council agrees to the project and the NSW Government approves it. Find out more. http://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/

There are just weeks to make your voice heard on the Ellerton Drive Extension and the need for a better transport plan for Queanbeyan.

Queanbeyan City Council has released final designs and environmental, noise, heritage and cultural studies for public comment until 9 February.

The council is behaving as if the road proposal is certain to go ahead and any changes will be at the margins. But the road is yet to win NSW government approval and there is still a funding shortfall – of at least $25 million. Council is considering borrowing up to this amount – and possibly more if the cost of the road rises – on behalf of the Googong developers who will be required to repay it over 20 years.

It is now very clear that the EDE would impose unacceptable impacts on people living along the route, local native animals and plant species and our local landscapes that people treasure, and on Queanbeyan’s finances.

There was a great turnout for the facilitated community conversation about Queanbeyan’s transport needs and some of the discussion has been captured on video.
http://www.classmoviestv.com/LabyrinthCS?movid=S9091-00-S5651-001

You can also read about the outcomes http://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/2014/08/01/community-conversation-about-transport-needs/

Around 70 people attended the forum, held on 24 August, hosted by the Queanbeyan Conservation Alliance and the Jerrabomberra Residents’ Association and facilitated by Dave Lavers, Principal of Labyrinth Consulting, and a Jerrabomberra resident.

The outcomes have been provided to the elected representatives who attended the forum. Unfortunately, it looks like Council and the NSW are just steaming ahead with a pre-determined objective; so much for listening to residents’ views.

The joint government announcement of $50 million to build the Ellerton Drive Extension (EDE) has thrown into sharp focus the need for a genuine community discussion to find a better solution to Queanbeyan’s transport needs.

The Queanbeyan Conservation Alliance is partnering with the Jerrabomberra Residents’ Association to organise a forum to start the conversation. This will be a facilitated community conversation, involving interest groups, decision-makers and the general public.

This new style of public forum for Queanbeyan will enable people to share their perspectives and help the community find the best solution to meet our transport needs, one that has regard for all points of view and delivers an efficient and affordable, socially beneficial and environmentally responsible transport system.

WHERE: Jerrabomberra Community Centre
WHEN: 2pm – 4:30pm on Sunday, 24 August 2014

Before the road can proceed, it needs State approval. Members of the public will have the opportunity to make comments on environmental studies, probably in September. That's why it's important to keep the campaign rolling.

The NSW and Federal governments announced on 12 June 2014 that they would both contribute $25 million towards the cost of constructing the Ellerton Drive Extension. They foreshadowed construction to commence in 2015.

Sadly, our elected representatives have let down residents of Queanbeyan who value our unique natural areas and native wildlife.

But it's not too late to stop this ill-considered proposal. You can tell our elected representatives what you think of the EDE. Sign our online petition and encourage others to do so. We’ll be presenting the petition to Queanbeyan City Council in coming weeks but it will remain open for more signatures.

You can also write or call Queanbeyan Mayor, Cr Tim Overall, the Member for Monaro, John Barilaro, and the Member for Eden-Monaro, Dr Peter Hendy. Find details at: http://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/

Queanbeyan City Council has dismissed community concerns about the harmful impacts to people and the environment from building the Ellerton Drive Extension. Council considered a report on the public consultation undertaken in May and June when it met on 28 August. Councillors voted 7 to 2 (Labor councillors Judith Burfoot and Brian Brown opposing) to engage a consultant to design a four-lane road. This is despite there being no funding from any source for the project, which Mayor Overall has said could cost up to $55 million. Read more here: http://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/

At the Council meeting on Wednesday, 24 July, Mayor Tim Overall appealed to residents to back the proposal to build the Ellerton Drive Extension, and to ask candidates for Eden-Monaro at the forthcoming federal election to support the Council’s request for a $40 million, interest-free loan to pay for the road.

If you disagree with the proposed road it’s important to ask candidates where they stand. Perhaps this issue is so important to you that it will influence how you vote. If so, then tell the candidates. Remember, your vote is powerful. You can find contact details for the declared candidates at the Queanbeyan Conservation Alliance website: http://qbnconservationalliance.wordpress.com/

Thursday, 25 July 2013

We presented the first instalment of our petition against the Ellerton Drive Extension to Queanbeyan City Council at the council meeting in Queanbeyan on Wednesday, 24 July. We had 213 signatures and we also presented the many comments people made when they signed the petition. To protect privacy we did not identify the authors of particular comments.

On behalf of all of you who signed the petition, we asked councillors to read your comments to see the issues people are raising and how strongly people feel about the harm that the road would have on local wildlife and the environment, and people’s enjoyment of both.

We will keep presenting more signatures as they come in. If you have already signed the petition, tell your neighbours, friends and colleagues about the issues, and encourage them to sign up, too.

What a fantastic response to our campaign we've had in the past week. We've just submitted 190 signatures to Queanbeyan City Council as a submission on the preliminary documents for the proposed road project. Formal submissions close at 4:30 pm today but keep those signatures coming. We will continue to petition the Council. And why stop here? You can contact the Mayor and other councillors to raise your concerns about the proposed road with them directly. Councillors' contact details are here: http://www.qcc.nsw.gov.au/Your-Council/Elected-Members/Contact-Details-for-Elected-Members

Don't forget that as well as signing this petition you can make submission to Queanbeyan City Council but you need to do this by 4:30 pm on Friday, 21 June 2013. Making a submission is as simple as sending an email that needs to be clearly marked as your submission. Find out more about plans for the proposed road and impacts on the environment at www.qcc.nsw.gov.au