Redbank Development

Update on the Grose River Bridge project – the Wilcox Home saved – for now

 

This week’s Council meeting ran to 1am. One of the most significant items considered was the revised Voluntary Planning Agreement associated with the Grose River Bridge project.

 

Many would know of the controversy caused by the baffling insistence of the developers that the road linking Grose Vale Road and Springwood Road plough through the home of the Wilcox family, despite the presence of empty land on either side.

 

The motion before Council was to approve the VPA, condemning the home to demolition. I moved an amendment that called for more work to explore a road alignment that saves the house. I am pleased that this passed by 7 votes to 5.

 

 

I have lamented the poor handling of the Grose River Bridge project since my election to Council in 2016:

 

The Debacle that is the Grose River Bridge Project (2022):

 

Further delays to the Grose River Bridge should make you cranky (2021):

 

About the Grose River bridge and the Redbank development (2017):

The following day, I gave this interview to local Radio station Pulse FM and their presenter Kathryn Gene:

 

I’m also pleased that Councillor Shane Djuric‘s notice of motion to preserve the gas lamps in Windsor Mall also passed with my support. I interviewed Windsor businessman Darren Pead a few months ago about our town centres renewal program and about that issue particularly.

 

Who voted which way, is in the first video.

by Clr. Nathan Zamprogno

The debacle that is the Grose River Bridge project

When the Redbank developers promised they'd build a bridge across the Grose River back in 2012, they said the bridge would be completed by the time the development had sold 641 lots.

It's now ten years later, the Redbank estate has sold over 700 lots, and not a single sod has been turned. Most of the blame lays with Council, who inked a weak planning agreement with the developers, and who then changed their mind about where they wanted the bridge and approach roads to be built when the first location was recognised as a poor choice.

I've had a lot to say about this before, and last week Council faced the latest twist. Finally, a revised route and agreement has been placed on exhibition, but some, like the Wilcox family reported widely in the media, are facing a heavy cost.

I am not satisfied that we have explored every option to both get the project back on track, and to spare homes from unecessary demolition. Public submissions on the new VPA are invited now.

by Clr. Nathan Zamprogno