Coolac Bypass – a better project

As the detailed design of the project has progressed, a number of modifications have been made to the proposal approved in 1997. These include:

• Redesigning the Cootamundra Road interchange to reduce the amount of land required for acquisition.
• Moving the location of the Travelling Stock Route between Muttama Creek and Pettit to the disused railway corridor.
• Eliminating level crossing intersections between the Hume Highway and the Tumut – Cootamundra railway if the railway is reinstated.
• Providing rest areas for traffic in each direction.
• A minor realignment of the road in Pettit to accommodate drainage infrastructure.
• Restricting access to the Hume Highway from Gobarralong Road to southbound traffic only. Main Street will be upgraded to connect to Coleman Street for northbound access onto the highway.
• The location identified for the concrete batch plant will be the southbound rest area site.

Assessment

The proposal for the Coolac Bypass was subject to an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This was exhibited for comment in 1995.

Submissions to the EIS and further geological investigations led to modifications to the project. The changes were to minimise the impacts of the low levels of asbestos present in the underlying rock of parts of the site and in the soils resulting from the weathering of these rocks.

The modified proposal was exhibited for comment in 1996 and received approval by in May 1997, subject to a number of conditions.

Environmental review

The RTA completed an environmental review of the project in October 2004.

The review was conducted to:

• Determine if the modifications are consistent with the 1997 planning approval.
• Consider any impacts arising from the changes in the environment, legislation and government policy since the previous approval in 1997.
• Assess any impacts that could result from the design changes.

The environmental review concluded that no significant impact to the environment is likely and a further Environmental Impact Statement is not required.  Some additional measures to reduce potential impacts on the environment were included. Approval to the environmental review was granted in November 2004.

A copy of the environmental review is available for view and download at the bottom of this page.

Management of asbestos bearing materials

Investigations during the environmental assessment of the project confirmed there are low levels of naturally occurring asbestos in the underlying rock and soil north of Muttama Creek.

The alignment and design of the project has been adjusted to minimise the possible disturbance of asbestos in this area.

A management plan has been developed to control the generation and transmission of dust, to protect both workers and residents during construction activities.