MidCoast Council’s community consultation process for the replacement of Wingham’s Cedar Party Bridge started on Thursday with the opening of the pop-up (community consultations) at the CWA rooms.
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I went to the pop-up to gauge community reaction after they had either had a look at what was on offer or had been taken through the options by council staff. Debate around the eight options seems to be centering more around the possible loss of the swimming pool than the need for replacement of the bridge. The topic of the pool was uppermost on a lot of minds. One man told me he had no idea that the pool was near the end of its life and how much money it takes annually to provide upkeep to keep the pool open, until he had visited the pop-up. There is some cynicism and distrust of council’s plans to replace the pool should it be one of the options selected.
James Blackburn from Wingham said, “Unfortunately, I can’t believe everything that I hear. I think that council has already made up its mind. If they do knock the pool down, I don’t think they’re going to replace it.”
People are also questioning the money budgeted to replace the pool, saying that $1.5 million would be nowhere enough money to build a “like for like” pool.
Merv Presland of Mt George said, “The pool is a big concern. If they have to replace the pool, it’s got to be 50 metres.”
Not everyone is negative about the options provided.
Wingham Chamber of Commerce president, Liz Jarvis feels the replacement of the bridge is a great opportunity for the town. She posted on social media, “I note that the path through the pool is one of many options - it could indeed be a win-win because it seems it's only a matter of time before our existing pool will not be serviceable. The pool alternative means if a bridge is funded by the NSW government then we get a new pool as a bonus - not a council cost. I can't see how we'd ever get a replacement otherwise.”
Helen Tyrell posted, “The designs proposed are both future proofing for the district and thus the region both economically and demographically.”
The pop up is open until Wednesday, May 3, and the presentation is available online at www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/cedarpartycreekbridge.