ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING - 19 JANUARY 2012
LATE AGENDA Page
9 General Manager Report
9.10 State Government Response to Representations about Prioritising the Upgrade of the Nambucca Heads to Urunga Section of the Pacific Highway as well as the status of interim safety work
11 Director Engineering Services Report
11.7 Electricity Supply for Streetlighting and Contestable Sites
Ordinary Council Meeting 19 January 2012
ITEM 9.10 SF841 190112 State Government Response to Representations about Prioritising the Upgrade of the Nambucca Heads to Urunga Section of the Pacific Highway as well as the status of interim safety work
AUTHOR/ENQUIRIES: Michael Coulter, General Manager
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Summary:
Council has received responses from the Minister in relation to its representations about prioritising the upgrade of the Nambucca Heads to Urunga Section of the Pacific Highway as well as the status of interim safety work.
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That the information concerning the response to representations about the upgrading of the Pacific Highway between Nambucca Heads and Urunga be received.
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OPTIONS:
There are no options. The report is for information.
DISCUSSION:
Council has made many resolutions and representations in relation to the upgrading of the Pacific Highway.
The most recent resolutions and representations concerned the prioritisation of the Nambucca Heads to Urunga section of the highway upgrade and progress with the announced interim safety measures.
The relevant correspondence to the Local Member and the responses which have now been received are attached.
CONSULTATION:
There has been consultation with the Local Member and the Minister for Roads and Ports.
SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT:
Environment
The environmental issues concerning the Pacific Highway upgrade have been previously reported.
Social
The social issues concerning the Pacific Highway upgrade have been previously reported.
Economic
The economic issues regarding the Pacific Highway upgrade have been previously reported.
Risk
Unfortunately the risks attached to the delay in upgrading the highway are all too obvious and familiar. The recent tragic accident at Urunga being the most recent example.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Direct and indirect impact on current and future budgets
There are no budgetary implications.
Source of fund and any variance to working funds
There are no implications for working funds.
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1View |
31323/2011 - Request for support - that the Nambucca Heads to Urunga upgrade of the Pacific Highway be the next section committed to construction |
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2View |
31343/2011 - Promised installation of Brifen wire between Nambucca Heads & Urunga and a further request that the speed limit along the Highway at the northern intersection to Nambucca Heads be reduced to 80 kmh |
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3View |
32562/2011 - What happened to the upgrade of the Pacific Highway between Nambucca Heads and Urunga? |
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4View |
589/2012 - Copy of response to A Stoner from Minister for Roads following representations on behalf of the Mayor in relation to issues on the Pacific Highway at Nambucca Heads |
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5View |
593/2012 - Copy of response to A Stoner from Minister for Roads following representations on behalf of General Manager requesting to proceed with construction of the Warrell Creek to Urunga Pacific Highway Upgrade |
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OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
Enquiries to: Cr Rhonda Hoban
Phone No: 6568 0214
Mobile: 0408 661 412
Email: mayor@nambucca.nsw.gov.au
Our Ref: SF841
9 November 2011
The Hon Andrew Stoner MP
Deputy Premier
Minister for Trade & Investment
Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services
PO Box 3120
WEST KEMPSEY NSW 2440
Email: oxley@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Dear Andrew
REQUEST FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE NAMBUCCA HEADS TO URUNGA UPGRADE OF THE PACIFIC HIGHWAY TO BE THE NEXT SECTION OF THE HIGHWAY COMMITTED TO CONSTRUCTION
Nambucca Shire Council is aware that the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) is desirous of having two Pacific Highway projects nominated for the next round of construction. Council is aware that the RTA has already made a commitment that one of these two projects will be the 26 km section between Frederickton and Eungai. Council understands that the RTA is yet to make a commitment to a second project.
Nambucca Shire Council seeks your support for a commitment to constructing the Nambucca Heads to Urunga stage in addition to the already announced Frederickton to Eungai stage.
The Nambucca Heads to Urunga section of the Highway is arguably the most dangerous section of the Pacific Highway. There have been eight fatal crashes on this section of the Highway between the start of 2005 and 2010. Total crashes for 2010 were the highest for the ten year period. A full assessment of safety issues is identified in the attached Road Safety Review Report prepared by the RTA in March 2011.
You are also advised that the Nambucca Heads to Urunga Section is of strategic importance to the Nambucca Valley in providing a needed truck stop at Nambucca Heads and also in providing access to Council’s Valla urban growth area. The upgrade of this section of the Highway would also provide employment continuity for Australian Pre Cast Solutions who currently employ 80 staff in Macksville in the construction of pre cast concrete products such as bridges and culverts for highway construction.
In summary, Council urges your support for the RTA to commit to constructing the Nambucca Heads to Urunga section of the Highway along with the recently announced Frederickton to Eungai section.
Yours faithfully
RHONDA HOBAN
MAYOR
RH:ms
Enc Copy of Road Safety Review Report, March 2011
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
Enquiries to: Cr Rhonda Hoban
Phone No: 6568 0214
Mobile: 0408 661 412
Email: mayor@nambucca.nsw.gov.au
Our Ref: SF841
9 November 2011
The Hon Andrew Stoner MP
Deputy Premier
Minister for Trade & Investment
Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services
PO Box 3120
WEST KEMPSEY NSW 2440
Email: oxley@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Email: office@stoner.minister.gov.au
Dear Andrew
PROMISED INSTALLATION OF BRIFEN WIRE BETWEEN NAMBUCCA HEADS & URUNGA AND A FURTHER REQUEST THAT THE SPEED LIMIT ALONG THE HIGHWAY AT THE NORTHERN INTERSECTION TO NAMBUCCA HEADS BE REDUCED TO 80 KMH
Reference is made to the enclosed Road Safety Review Report prepared by the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) in March 2011 for the Pacific Highway between Nambucca Heads and Urunga.
In Section 7 of the Report which details remedial safety works, there are recommendations for the installation of wire (brifen) rope on the centre line with a painted median from Oyster Drive to 500 metres north of Ballards Road intersection and also the continuation of the wire rope installation through to Hungry Head Road.
Nambucca Shire Council requests advice as when these nominated safety improvements will be installed and for that matter the other recommended safety improvements contained within the March 2011 Road Safety Review Report.
Council would be pleased if you could support its representations to the RTA to ensure that the actions nominated in the Review Report are carried out.
Yours faithfully
RHONDA HOBAN
MAYOR
RH:ms
enc Road Safety Review Report
From:Michael Coulter[EX:/O=NSC/OU=NSCDOMAIN/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=MICHAELC]
To:'oxley@parliament.nsw.gov.au'[SMTP:oxley@parliament.nsw.gov.au]
Cc:'Liz Jeremy'[SMTP:LJeremy@bellingen.nsw.gov.au]
Cc:Mayor[EX:/O=NSC/OU=NSCDOMAIN/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=Mayor]
Cc:'luke.hartsuyker.MP@aph.gov.au'[SMTP:luke.hartsuyker.MP@aph.gov.au]
Cc:Paul Gallagher[EX:/O=NSC/OU=NSCDOMAIN/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=Paulg]
Received-Date:20111117
Received-Time:10:33:05 PM
Sent-Date:20111117
Sent-Time:10:33:05 PM
Subject:What happened to the upgrade of the Pacific Highway between Nambucca Heads and Urunga?
Dear Andrew
Please refer to the following article from the Macleay Argus and in particular the quote from Minister Albanese.
For reasons which haven't been provided to this Council, it seems a decision has been made to proceed with the upgrade of the section of Pacific Highway between Port Macquarie and South Kempsey before the section between Nambucca Heads and Urunga.
Council is aware that the RTA wished to commit to two new Pacific Highway upgrade projects. An announcement was made that one of these projects would be Frederickton to Eungai. Council is unaware of any decision being made concerning the second project and is of the view that the section from Nambucca Heads to Urunga should be the second project.
The section of highway from Nambucca Heads to Urunga already has Part 3A project approval. South Kempsey to Port Macquarie does not.
The section of highway from Nambucca Heads to Urunga is more dangerous than the section from Port Macquarie to South Kempsey.
There is greater potential travel time savings for the section between Nambucca Heads to Urunga than Port Macquarie to South Kempsey.
A survey of highway motorists by the NRMA also voted the section north of Nambucca Heads as being the worst stretch of Highway.
Why is it intended to proceed with Port Macquarie to South Kempsey before Nambucca Heads to Urunga?
Deadly highway to be fixed
LUKE HORTON
15 Nov, 2011 08:21 AM
It includes the stretch of road where 35 people were killed in Australia’s worst bus crash in 1989.
Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese and Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner yesterday announced $100 million would be spent on plan- ning and pre-construction works in the next year.
Expressions of interest to build the 26.5km section of highway were called earlier this year with an announcement on the successful bidder expected to be made sometime in 2012.
No time frame has been announced for the Frederickton to Eungai upgrade but Mr Stoner did say construction would be complete before 2016 - the deadline both governments have committed to for upgrading the Pacific Hwy.
Mr Albanese said further funding for the project would be announced at a later date, with both governments likely to contribute.
He said it was unlikely the project would be funded in the same way the $618 million Kempsey bypass had.
“The Kempsey bypass received funding under the economic stimulus package,” he said.
“Frankly, if more planning had been done there quite possibly could have been more money in the economic stimulus package allocated to completing the Frederickton to Eungai section.
“If projects are proceeding faster than expected we will view them favourably.”
Mr Albanese also committed to fast-tracking the South Kempsey to Port Macquarie upgrade saying it would be the next section both governments would be discussing.
Mr Stoner said it was essential both governments were wholly committed to completing the project as soon as possible.
“The indication is we’re running out of time,” he said.
“We’re both working to a deadline.”
Mayor Liz Campbell said news work would soon start on the Frederickton to Eungai upgrade was another boost to the Macleay.
“The flow on effects to Kempsey we’ve seen from the Kempsey bypass will be extended,” she said.
“This is something we’ve waited a very long time for.”
Seven Oaks dairy farmer Dean Saul said the announcement the highway would finally be upgraded was a huge relief for residents of the area, 22 years on from the devastating Clybucca bus crash.
“After witnessing the trauma of that crash this is an extremely welcome announcement, but long overdue,” he said.
Expressions of interest close on December 15.
Michael Coulter
General Manager
Nambucca Shire Council
PO Box 177 Macksville NSW 2447
Ph:(02)65680200 Mob:0409153788 Fax:(02)65682201
michael.coulter@nambucca.nsw.gov.au
Director of Engineering Services Report
ITEM 11.7 SF1696 190112 Electricity Supply for Streetlighting and Contestable Sites
AUTHOR/ENQUIRIES: Peter Baynes, Manager Assets
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Summary:
None as this report is brief.
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1 That Council accept the offer submitted by ERM Power for electricity supply for Council’s contestable sites.
2 That Council accept the offer submitted by AGL for electricity supply for Council’s street lights.
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OPTIONS:
The offers not be accepted and existing electricity supply arrangements continue.
DISCUSSION:
Regional Procurement in association with Energy Action provides a reverse auction process for supply of electricity and associated services.
In November 2011 the General Manager approved Council’s participation in reverse auctions for supply of electricity to Council’s contestable sites and street lights. Contestable sites include Council’s administration building and large water and sewer pump stations.
CONTESTABLE SITES
During December 2011 Regional Procurement ran reverse auction RA11213NAM for supply of electricity to Nambucca Shire Council’s contestable sites. Tender offers were received from Origin Energy, ERM Power, AGL and Simply Energy for a 36 month term.
Regional Procurement evaluated the offers against criteria for Price, Quality Assurance, Customer Service and Ecological Sustainable Development.
The Regional Procurement recommended supplier is ERM Power. The ERM Power offer represents a saving of approximately $15,000 over the 36 month period and also “locks in” the rate for a fixed term.
STREET LIGHTING
During December 2011 Regional Procurement ran reverse auction RA11213NAM for supply of electricity to Nambucca Shire Council’s contestable sites. Tender offers were received from Origin Energy, AGL and Simply Energy for a 36 month term.
Regional Procurement evaluated the offers against criteria for Price, Quality Assurance, Customer Service and Ecological Sustainable Development.
The Regional Procurement recommended supplier is AGL. The AGL offer represents a saving of approximately $19,000 over the 36 month period and also “locks in” the rate for a fixed term.
CONSULTATION:
General Manager
Technical Officer Assets
SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT:
Environment
Environmental factors have been considered in assessing the tender offers.
Social
No impacts as a result of this report.
Economic
No impacts as a result of this report.
Risk
Acceptance of these offers affords a degree of risk mitigation in that rates are “locked in” over a 36 month period in which electricity prices are expected to continue to rise.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Direct and indirect impact on current and future budgets
The proposal provides Council a saving of approximately $34,000 over 36 months.
Source of fund and any variance to working funds
General fund, Water fund and Sewer fund.
There are no attachments for this report.