Plans for stage two of Southern Feeder Road open for comment

Residents have until May 31 to have their say on stage 2 of this important Orange project.

Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said the REF was an important planning document which spells out what impacts the project would have on the area.

“This is an important project for the economic development of the region as well as to make life easier for residents getting from one side of the city to the other,” Cr Kidd said.

“It will provide direct access from Forest Road to the Mitchell Highway via Dairy Creek Road.”

The second stage of the road through southern Orange involves a bridge being built over the western railway line north of Sir Jack Brabham Park with a road running 840 metres between Elsham Avenue and Forest Road.

Edward Street would also be extended south by 440 metres through the former saleyards to link up with the SFR.

The Stage 2 works will connect with Stage 1 of the SFR to the west, constructed in 2013-14, and Dairy Creek Road to the east.

Orange City Council’s Infrastructure Committee Chair Sam Romano stressed this step in the planning process did not mean Council was ready to start work on the project, but it would make the project “shovel ready” for when funding was achieved.

“We’re still looking at a variety of funding sources and we’re hopeful we’ll be successful in achieving those goals soon,” Cr Romano said.

“The NSW Government is supporting this project but more funding is needed to complete it.”

“The SFR would relieve traffic pressures in the central areas of Orange, including encouraging heavy vehicles to drive around the city rather than through it.

“The completion of the Northern Distributor Road has made a significant impact when it comes to reducing the number of heavy vehicles through the city and the Southern Feeder Road will further assist with that.

“Residents are encouraged to read the REF and raise any concerns about its potential impact.

“But residents can be assured the REF has not highlighted any significant issues in terms of environmental impact, heritage impact, and impact on any land of Aboriginal heritage significance nor in terms of noise or impact on residents.

All submissions will be taken into account and a report will be prepared for councillors to consider in the coming months.