Background

In the November 2022 Ordinary Council Meeting, Council adopted the alignment of the Blueridge Link Road (Southern Distributor) and resolved to acquire land to secure a road corridor for the future road. Council’s Design Section are currently working on the detailed design for the Stage 1 road and the associated drainage works. Following completion of design, Council will proceed with the construction of Stage 1, and then open the road for public use. Stage 2 of the Southern Distributor will be constructed in the future when required to support traffic generated by future developments.

Change in Haulage Route for Heavy Industry Developments

Once the Stage 1 road is open to the public, Council proposes to change the primary haulage route for the existing concrete works and two quarries currently operating on Sheraton Road, with the alignment shown in the above diagram. This change will introduce haulage trucks through the Blueridge Business Park via Capital Drive and Blueridge Drive to the Mitchell Highway as shown. When Stage 2 is constructed in the future, Council’s strategy is to redirect the primary haulage route via the Stage 2 Southern Distributor alignment out to the Mitchell Highway.

Reason for the Change in Haulage Route

The current primary haulage route for the abovementioned heavy industry developments is via Sheraton Road to the Mitchell Highway. There have been ongoing discussions with St Johns Primary, St Johns College, Skillset High School and Dubbo Christian School about the safety issues associated with heavy vehicles travelling through the existing school zone on Sheraton Road. Council’s long-term strategy is for the primary haulage route to be via the Southern Distributor to the Mitchell Highway (combined Stage 1 & 2 alignments), however due to limited funding and resources, Council is proposing the interim haulage route via Capital Drive and Blueridge Drive to the Mitchell Highway.

Council engaged WaySafe a second time to undertake a road safety audit on Sheraton Road. A large portion of the road safety findings related to vehicle and pedestrian movements and congestion during peak school drop off and pick up times.

The risk associated with heavy vehicles on Sheraton Road can be significantly reduced by eliminating those heavy vehicles during the peak school drop off and pick up times on Sheraton Road. This can be achieved by installing ‘Trucks Prohibited’ signage on Sheraton Road with a time restriction only applied to the peak traffic hours in the morning and afternoon. Trucks can return to Sheraton Road outside peak times when the risk is significantly lower.

Heavy Haulage Restrictions

• No heavy vehicles (over 4.5 tonnes) travelling on Sheraton Road during school drop off (8.00am - 9.30am) and pick up times (2.00pm - 4.00pm).
• Signage will be installed to reflect this which will enable enforcement of heavy vehicles restrictions and fines to be issued.

Since consultation commenced with the businesses and stakeholders within the Blueridge Business Park, we have identified an opportunity to fund this strategy. As our new approach towards a haulage strategy begins to take shape. We want to ensure the community have access to the most up to date information and an opportunity to engage with Council on the proposed plans. Here is an overview of actions currently underway.

Grant Funding

Council has identified an opportunity to apply for funding under the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program. The application will be completed by external resources, which will be funded from the Road Strategy operational budget. The assessment process for the program will take place in March/April 2024, and the successful applicants will be announced in May/June 2024. If the application is successful, the funding will also support stage two works, which is the Southern Distribution Road. However, due to the complexity of the intersection, completing it within the given timeframe is not feasible and will be addressed in the future. Assuming the grant funding is successful, the project will start within three months of the funding approval. The project aims to be completed by 31 March 2026, and the grant commitment will end on 30 June 2026.

Proposed Land Acquisition

A crucial link with this project involves the acquisition of land. Council will submit an application to the Minister for Local Government and the Governor of NSW seeking approval for the compulsory acquisition of portions of Lot 11 on DP1293863, Lot 51 on DP612578, and Lot 2 on DP1246347.

Detailed information regarding the land acquisition process is currently confidential. Further details will be made available to the public once the process is completed and ready for public disclosure.

Traffic Report

As a result of consultation in 2023, the proposed Road and Haulage strategy has undergone an independent review.

Overview of findings: The options study was undertaken to provide an independent assessment of potential haulage options. A total of 5 options were assessed including two existing options and three future options.

• In the short-term, Option 3 (along new Blueridge Link Road, left into Capital Drive, left into Blueridge Drive and onto the highway at the Wellington Road / Blueridge Drive seagull intersection) has been identified as the best performing option.
• In the long-term , Option 4 (along new Blueridge Link Road, onto new Southern Distributor Road, onto the highway at a new Mitchell Highway / Southern Distributor intersection) has been recognised to be a more appropriate haulage route.

Council will allocate funds for the solution for heavy vehicles and the schools precinct, this will be directed to reconstruct and improve Sheraton Road. Further consultation with the schools will take place throughout the design process. The road design and construction process will be similar to the Wheelers Lane reconstruction project.

The design process will be completed over the next 12 months with the Sheraton Road reconstruction aiming to be commence in the 2025/2026 financial year. DRC will continue to keep the school communities updated throughout the project.