Transport for NSW Princes upgrade program Progress update | March to September 2020 Contents

Forewords 1 Outcomes 26

Princes Highway upgrade map – Road safety 26 September 2020 2 Workplace safety 27

Project Snapshots 4 Building resilience to natural disasters 28

Local contractor engagement 29 Albion Park Rail bypass 4 Employment and training 30 Bridge replacement project 6 Aboriginal engagement and heritage 31

Berry to Bomaderry upgrade 8 Engaging with community 33

Burrill Lake to Batemans Bay upgrade 10 Stimulating local economies 34

Jervis Bay Road and upgrade 12

Jervis Bay Road to Sussex Inlet Road upgrade 14

Milton Ulladulla bypass 16

Moruya bypass 18

Mount Ousley 20

Nowra Bridge Project 22

South Batemans Bay Link Road 24 Forewords

The Hon. Michael McCormack, Deputy Prime The Hon. Paul Toole, Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport Minister for Regional Roads and Transport and Regional Development

The Princes Highway is a crucial link Sustainable employment opportunities The Princes Highway upgrade program Listening to and understanding the between the beautiful South Coast are a core benefit of the highway is transforming South Coast NSW. needs of our communities is critical. NSW and the rest of NSW and . upgrade, and our investment is expected In response to the hardship so many of I have been pleased to see the efforts The Federal Liberal and Nationals to deliver 1000 direct and 3000 indirect our communities have experienced so taken to consult and collaborate with Government is committed to upgrading jobs for the region. This has never been far in 2020, our focus is on delivering community through increasingly the highway and unlocking economic, more important than in the aftermath a more resilient network: one that is uncertain times. It is through meaningful employment and social opportunities of the 2019/20 bushfire season and the adaptable to hazards and emergencies, engagement that we will deliver a between Jervis Bay Road and the COVID-19 outbreak. economic shocks, and can support highway of the future that responds to Victorian border. new technologies and emerging how communities want to move in the The Federal Liberal and Nationals local industry. future and can contribute to the places The Princes Highway upgrade program Government continues to work side and economies it serves; making more is a forward-looking endeavour which by side with NSW Government in Getting you and your family home liveable, better connected places to be. will meet the needs of the communities identifying key projects to help deliver safely is at the heart of the program. the highway serves and help drive the safer, more reliable, more efficient, Four major projects including Albion We’ll work closely with the Australian nation’s economy forward. better connected journeys and also Park Rail bypass, Berry to Bomaderry Government to provide long term shape the identity of South Coast NSW upgrade, project and benefits to the communities of South Major work recently started on the for generations to come. Batemans Bay Bridge replacement are Coast NSW. We are pleased with the Nowra Bridge project and I look forward in construction and will all deliver safer progress so far and look forward to to watching this project closely as it journeys for road users. Numerous other keeping you updated as we deliver a enables greater ease of movement for works are being delivered as part of the safer and more reliable Princes Highway. the people of Nowra. Saving Lives on Country Roads program which aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads to zero.

1 WATERFALL 1 BULLI TOPS Princes Highway upgrade map – 1 2 2 GWYNNEVILLE September 2020 YALLAH 1 OAK FLATS Projects on the Princes Highway are at different stages and 3 BERRY GERRINGONG all serve to contribute to a safer, more reliable, more efficient 2 BOMADERRY 4 and better connected transport network for South Coast NSW. NOWRA 3 This is their status as of September 2020. 3 4 SUSSEX INLET

Completed In development MILTON 5 ULLADULLA Mount Ousley acceleration lane (northbound) Improvements between Bulli Tops 1 1 6 5 and Picton Road 2 Mount Ousley heavy vehicle rest area 6 upgrade (northbound) 2 Mount Ousley interchange 4 3 Gerringong upgrade 3 Jervis Bay Road intersection upgrade 7 BATEMANS BAY 4 Foxground and Berry bypass 4 Jervis Bay Road to Sussex Inlet Road

5  Bridge replacement 5 Milton Ulladulla bypass MORUYA 8 6  Creek upgrade 6 Upgrades between Burrill Lake and Batemans Bay 7 Victoria Creek upgrade 7 South Batemans Bay Link Road 7 8 Dignams Creek upgrade 8 8 Moruya bypass 9 Bega bypass BERMAGUI

In construction BEGA 9 1 Albion Park Rail bypass TATHRA Completed 2 Berry to Bomaderry upgrade In construction 3 Nowra Bridge project In development 4 Batemans Bay Bridge replacement EDEN

2 Achievements of the program over the past six months include:

• Five Princes Highway upgrade locally on Aboriginal businesses • Completed construction of the 16 Regional Cities Program. This will projects have progressed to the and employment. Over 10 per cent first road bridge in to use ensure public transport on and design phase including Jervis Bay of workers are from the Australian weathering steel girders, around the Princes Highway meets Road intersection upgrade, Jervis Aboriginal community. on Berry to Bomaderry upgrade. the specific needs of transport users, Bay Road to Sussex Inlet upgrade, delivering more reliable services and • 96 per cent of bridge girders on the • Surpassed three million worker hours Milton Ulladulla bypass, Burrill Lake better connections to the places Albion Park Rail bypass project across Albion Park Rail bypass, to Batemans Bay upgrade and people want to visit and at the times have been installed. Berry to Bomaderry upgrade and Moruya bypass. they want to travel. Batemans Bay Bridge replacement • Over 150 kilometres of highway was • Batemans Bay Bridge replacement since the projects began. damaged following the 2019/20 is just over half way through and bushfire season. Repair work • From September, 45 weekly bus has already exceeded its Aboriginal included three kilometres of new services will improve connectivity Participation in Construction targets. guardrail and over 300 replaced and better meet customer needs Over $2.5 million has been invested signs. in the Shoalhaven as part of the

3 Project Snapshots Albion Park Rail bypass

Waterfall Transport for NSW (Transport) is building an extension Project Snapshot Bulli Tops of the M1 between Yallah and Oak

Gwynneville Flats to bypass Albion Park Rail. The NSW Government Wollongong Current Status: Under construction 1 Albion Park Rail Yallah bypass is funding the $630 million project. The bypass would Oak Flats Start of Construction:

Gerringong February 2019 complete the ‘missing link’ for a high standard road Berry Bomaderry Completion Date: 2022 between and Bomaderry. Nowra Project Benefits:

Sussex Inlet • Planning for the future What has happened What is coming up?

Milton • Up to 30 per cent travel so far? Ulladulla time saving September 2020–2021 • Returning local streets to March–September 2020 • Traffic changes on the new local communities • Completed bridge piling East West Link Batemans Bay • Improving the efficient • 96 per cent of bridge girders and • Installing the remaining bridge planks movement of freight planks installed • Continuing with pavement work Moruya • Six times less likely to crash • Bridge into Albion Park was opened on the new motorway • Reducing flood impacts • New Croom Regional Sporting • Traffic changes on Oak Flats roundabout including installing • Up to 16 intersections bypassed Complex shared path and access road was opened traffic lights • Better and more reliable trips Bermagui • Installing kerb and gutter, for locals, tourists, businesses • New Croome Road bridge and shared guardrail and signage Bega and freight path was opened • Landscaping • Improving connectivity for the • Pavement work has started on the Tathra Albion Park community new motorway • Increasing road capacity

Eden • Last town to be bypassed between Sydney and Bomaderry Contractor: Fulton Hogan

4 96 per cent Over 1.8 million of bridge girders worker hours and planks installed

96 per cent of bridge girders have been installed as of September 2020

Extension of the M1 Princes Motorway between Yallah and Oak Flats Night work, Albion Park Rail bypass

5 Batemans Bay Bridge replacement project

Waterfall The $274 million project will deliver a four lane bridge, Project Snapshot Bulli Tops improved intersections and build better connections in

Gwynneville and around Batemans Bay for motorists, freight, river Wollongong Current Status: Under construction Yallah users, pedestrians and cyclists. Oak Flats Start of Construction: March 2019

Gerringong Berry Completion Date: Early 2023 The replacement bridge will enable The Batemans Bay Bridge replacement Bomaderry uninterrupted access under the bridge project is over half complete with the Nowra Project Benefits: for river vessels within a 12 metre vertical substructure of the bridge finalised • Better and more reliable trips for clearance limit above mean high water and superstructure of the new bridge Sussex Inlet people business and freight springs (MHWS). Other key design now taking shape as the 80–105 tonne elements of the new bridge include: concrete bridge segments continue Milton • Improving intersections for to be delivered and installed. Ulladulla highways and local roads • fewer piers in the water and wider spans for improved river flow, safer • Connecting communities navigation for river users and a more Batemans Bay 4 • Improving safety appealing bridge design Batemans Bay Bridge replacement Contractor: John Holland Group • four lanes of traffic with two lanes

Moruya in each direction • three metre wide shared path for pedestrians and cyclists with ramps and stairs to be provided on both sides of the new bridge Bermagui for accessibility

Bega

Tathra

Eden

6 The concrete bridge segments used Over 500,000 worker to build the Batemans Bay Bridge are About 48 per cent hours completed on the project so far among the widest in mainland Australia of the workforce is local measuring up to 20 metres each

What has happened What is coming up? so far? September 2020–2021 March–September 2020 • Progressing work to establish a new • Continuing bridge segment floating pontoon on the southern production, delivery and erection foreshore following completion of geotechnical investigations • Complete marine pier construction • Completion of retaining walls • Open the upgraded Kings Highway • Continuing to build the superstructure and Princes Highway intersection – of the bridge two left slip lanes opened to traffic in June 2020 • Earthwork to realign Wharf Road and Clyde Street

Major work on Batemans Bay Bridge replacement, looking south to Batemans Bay

7 Berry to Bomaderry upgrade

Waterfall When completed, the Berry to Bomaderry upgrade Project Snapshot Bulli Tops will deliver better and more reliable journeys on this

Gwynneville section of the highway. It will be the final piece of more Wollongong Current Status: Under construction 2 Berry to Yallah than 30 kilometres of highway upgraded between Bomaderry Oak Flats Start of Construction: 2018 upgrade Gerringong Gerringong and Bomaderry since work started in 2012. Berry Completion Date: 2022 Bomaderry Nowra Project Benefits: What has happened What is coming up? • Improving safety so far? Sussex Inlet • Increasing road capacity September 2020–March 2021 Milton • Improving traffic flow Ulladulla March–September 2020 • Stage two of major traffic switch onto new sections of highway between Contractors: Downer Seymour • Completed construction of the Whyte Joint Venture first road bridge in Australia to use Ison Lane and Abernethys Lane Australian weathering steel girders including new bridges at Wileys Batemans Bay at Pestells Lane. This will soon be Creek, Tandingulla Creek, Abernethys operational and is the first of two Creek and Devitts Lane underpass Moruya Princes Highway overpasses on the • Construction to begin on the project’s project to open to traffic second bridge constructed from • First stage of major traffic switch onto Australian weathering steel girders new sections of highway between at Strongs Road overpass Bermagui Croziers Road and Ison Lane including • Opening up new intersections at a new bridge at Croziers Road, Jaspers Brush Road Bega Creek. This will allow work to start and Abernethys Lane on upgrading the remaining sections Tathra • Opening up new sections of highway of old highway as they are completed

Eden

8 3 720,000m 950,000 workforce 210 of 261 of material moved or imported hours completed steel cased piles constructed

The highway upgrade will provide a four-lane divided highway between Berry and Bomaderry The Pestells Lane bridge is the first road bridge in Australia to use Australian weathering steel girders

9 Burrill Lake to Batemans Bay upgrade

Waterfall The proposed upgrade of the Princes Highway between Project Snapshot Bulli Tops Burrill Lake and Batemans Bay would deliver safer and

Gwynneville more reliable journeys on the South Coast. Wollongong Current Status: In planning Yallah Oak Flats Start of Construction: The upgrade would address the 86 What is coming up? Gerringong To be determined crashes on this section of highway in the Berry five years from 2014 to 2018. Bomaderry Completion Date: September 2020–March 2021 Nowra The strategic investigation is under To be determined • Identify and release preferred way and the design and features strategic option for consultation Sussex Inlet Project Benefits: of the proposed upgrade have not • Improving safety and reliability been determined. • Publish a consultation report Milton assessing feedback raised during Ulladulla for all Princes Highway transport users the preferred strategic option What has happened consultation period • Improving connectivity with key so far? • Start further design and investigation Batemans Bay east-west road corridors work on the preferred option • Enabling more efficient 6 Upgrades between March–September 2020 • Continue initial field investigation Moruya Burrill Lake and movement of freight Batemans Bay • Awarded a contract to AECOM work including biodiversity and • Supporting regional Australia Pty Ltd to deliver the heritage surveys, preliminary economic growth strategic investigation and design of geotechnical investigations, Contractor: AECOM Australia the highway upgrade and ground and utility survey investigations Bermagui Pty Ltd – strategic investigation • Started investigations such as and design Bega preliminary traffic and transport modelling and utility analysis to assist

Tathra in developing upgrade options and identifying a preferred option

Eden

10 Identify upgrades to Improve safety for all road users 45 kilometres of Princes Highway

Burrill Lake to Batemans Bay

11 Jervis Bay Road and Princes Highway intersection upgrade

Waterfall The intersection has some of the highest volumes of Project Snapshot Bulli Tops vehicle movements on the highway between Nowra

Gwynneville and the Victorian border and has been the location of Wollongong Current Status: In planning Yallah 15 crashes in the five-year period up to 31 December Oak Flats Start of Construction:

Gerringong To be determined 2018, resulting in six serious and 11 minor injuries. 3 Jervis Bay Road Berry intersection Bomaderry upgrade Nowra Completion Date: During consultation earlier this year, • Published consultation report To be determined the community told us what they value assessing feedback raised and next most when it comes to an upgraded steps for the project

Sussex Inlet Project Benefits: intersection: 62 per cent most value • Carried out initial field investigations • Safer and more reliable journeys Milton safety and 33 per cent reliability and less including utility survey and a Ulladulla • Improving connectivity with congestion. A safer and more reliable preliminary geotechnical study Jervis Bay Road intersection is our priority. • Awarded a contract to Arcadis • Delivering safer access to and Australia Pacific Pty Ltd to carry Batemans Bay from local roads What has happened out the concept design and Contractor: Arcadis Australia so far? environmental assessment Moruya Pacific Pty Ltd – concept • Started traffic studies and design and environmental March–September 2020 environmental assessment work to assessment contract inform updates to design options and • Developed strategic options for the identify a preferred design option proposed intersection by identifying Bermagui benefits and constraints

Bega • Displayed strategic options, including grade separation (fly over), Tathra roundabout and traffic signals. Received feedback from over 800 community members. We responded

Eden to the COVID-19 outbreak and moved all consultation online. 62 per cent of respondents most valued road safety.

12 Over 800 62 per cent 33 per cent comments received of community most of community most value reduced on strategic options value a safer intersection congestion and better reliability

What is coming up?

September 2020–March 2021 • Identify and release a preferred option • Continue field work such as biodiversity and heritage assessments and geotechnical and survey investigations for the preferred option • Continue development of the environmental assessment and concept design for the preferred option in preparation for public display in 2021

Jervis Bay Road and Princes Highway intersection, Falls Creek, looking south

13 Jervis Bay Road to Sussex Inlet Road upgrade

Waterfall The proposed upgrade of the Princes Highway between Project Snapshot Bulli Tops Jervis Bay Road and Sussex Inlet Road would deliver

Gwynneville safer and more reliable journeys on the South Coast. Wollongong Current Status: In planning Yallah Oak Flats Start of Construction: The upgrade would address the What has happened Gerringong To be determined 126 crashes on this section of highway Berry in the five years from 2014 to 2018. so far? Jervis Bay Road to Bomaderry 4 Nowra Completion Date: Sussex Inlet Road To be determined The strategic investigation is under March–September 2020 way and the design and features

Sussex Inlet Project Benefits: of the proposed upgrade have not • Carried out preliminary environmental • Improving safety and reliability been determined. investigations including biodiversity Milton to inform strategic investigation Ulladulla for all Princes Highway transport users and design • Improving connectivity with key • Completed an aerial survey to inform east-west road corridors development of strategic options Batemans Bay for the upgrade • Enabling more efficient • Awarded a contract to Cardno (NSW/ Moruya movement of freight ACT) Pty Ltd to deliver the strategic • Supporting regional investigation and design of the economic growth. highway upgrade Contractors: Cardno (NSW/ACT) • Started investigations such as Bermagui Pty Ltd – strategic investigation preliminary traffic and transport and design modelling and utility analysis to Bega develop upgrade options and identify a preferred option Tathra

Eden

14 Identify upgrades to Improve safety for all road users 20 kilometres of Princes Highway

What is coming up?

September 2020–March 2021 • Identify and release a preferred option • Start further design and investigation work for the preferred option • Continue field investigation of biodiversity and heritage, geotechnical and utilities

Entering Wandandian, Princes Highway

15 Milton Ulladulla bypass

Waterfall A Milton and Ulladulla bypass would reduce travel time, Project Snapshot Bulli Tops improve road safety and enhance the liveability of

Gwynneville Milton and Ulladulla town centres. Wollongong Current Status: In planning Yallah Oak Flats Start of Construction: NA A bypass would address 85 crashes on What has happened Gerringong the section of highway between 2013 Berry Completion Date: NA and 2018. so far? Bomaderry 5 Milton Ulladulla Nowra Project Benefits: bypass We invited feedback on the identified March–September 2020 • Safer and more reliable corridor for the Milton Ullladulla • Consulted with the community and Sussex Inlet journeys between South Coast bypass shown in the Shoalhaven Local communities Environmental Plan and asked to hear received feedback from over 600 Milton about how transport users carry out community members. We responded Ulladulla • Reducing travel time, particularly journeys through Milton and Ulladulla. to the COVID-19 outbreak and moved in holiday periods, by removing all consultation online. Over 40 per the need to pass through a cent of feedback related to number of intersections Batemans Bay route selection • Improving the liveability within • Published consultation report Moruya the Milton and Ulladulla town assessing feedback raised and next centres and enhance the appeal steps for the project of the area. • Awarded contract to Arcadis Australia Contractors: Arcadis Australia Pacific Pty Ltd to deliver strategic Pacific Pty Ltd – strategic Bermagui investigation and design investigation and design • Started studies and environmental Bega assessment work to identify a preferred design option Tathra

Eden

16 692 submissions 40 per cent Addressing were received from individuals, of feedback 85 crashes community groups and government related to option on the highway selection between 2013 and 2018

What is coming up?

September 2020–March 2021 • Identify and release preferred option • Continue field work such as biodiversity and heritage assessments and geotechnical and survey investigations for the preferred option • Continue development of the environmental assessment and concept design for the preferred option in preparation for public display in 2021 Milton

Ulladulla

17 Moruya bypass

Waterfall The proposed Moruya bypass would deliver safer and Project Snapshot Bulli Tops more reliable journeys, unlock opportunities to grow

Gwynneville the regional economy and contribute to the liveability Wollongong Current Status: In planning Yallah of the town. Oak Flats Start of Construction:

Gerringong To be determined Berry The strategic investigation is under What has happened Bomaderry Completion Date: way and the design and features Nowra so far? To be determined of the proposed upgrade have not been determined.

Sussex Inlet Project Benefits: March–September 2020 • Enhancing the atmosphere and Milton • Consulted with the community Ulladulla liveability of the Moruya town and received over 290 comments. centre for locals, pedestrians We responded to the COVID-19 and businesses and provide the outbreak and moved all opportunity for improvements consultation online. Batemans Bay • Reducing travel time, particularly • Published consultation report in peak periods, by removing the Moruya 8 Moruya bypass assessing feedback raised and next need for vehicles to pass through steps for the project numerous intersections • Awarded a contract to Arup Australia • Improving safety in the town by Pty Ltd to deliver the strategic taking trucks off local roads investigation and design of the bypass Bermagui • Catering for future growth of the • Started investigations including traffic Bega town and provide ease of access and transport modelling to help to essential services such as identify a preferred option Tathra hospitals and schools.

Contractors: Arup Australia Pty Ltd – strategic investigation and design Eden

18 Enhance Cater for future the amenity growth of the town and provide ease of access to essential and liveability services such as hospitals of the town and schools

What is coming up?

September 2020–March 2021 • Identify and release preferred option

• Continue field work including biodiversity and heritage assessments and geotechnical and survey investigations for a preferred option

• Continue development of the environmental assessment and concept design for the preferred option in preparation for public display in 2021

Moruya bridge, looking north west

19 Mount Ousley interchange

Waterfall Transport is planning for an interchange on the M1 Project Snapshot Bulli Tops Princes Motorway at the base of Mount Ousley. 2 Mount Ousley Interchange Gwynneville Wollongong Current Status: In planning Yallah What has happened What is coming up? Oak Flats Start of Construction:

Gerringong Yet to be confirmed so far? The project has planning approval and Berry the next stage will be to prepare the Bomaderry Completion Date: The Review of Environmental Factors Nowra detailed design. Timing and funding for Yet to be confirmed and concept design was displayed in late 2017 and the submissions report was construction of the interchange upgrade is not yet confirmed. Sussex Inlet Project Benefits: published in April 2018. • Improving travel times Milton In response to ongoing consultation Ulladulla • Safer access to and from the and investigations, we have continued motorway to Mount Ousley Road to improve the design of the • Improving access to the proposed interchange. Batemans Bay Wollongong CBD and Moruya • Improving safety by separating cars and heavy vehicles travelling down Mount Ousley • Improving amenity for

Bermagui pedestrians and cyclists, provides for future traffic growth Bega Contractors: N/A

Tathra

Eden

20 Improving Easing Better, safer and more reliable trips safety congestion for customers and communities

Mount Ousley interchange

21 Nowra Bridge Project

Waterfall The Nowra Bridge project will provide a new four Project Snapshot Bulli Tops lane concrete bridge over the ,

Gwynneville upgraded intersections and additional lanes on the Wollongong Current Status: Construction Yallah Princes Highway. Oak Flats Start of Construction: Early work

Gerringong started February 2020. First sod Berry The $342 million project is jointly The project also includes upgrades 3 Nowra Bridge Bomaderry turned mid June 2020. funded by the NSW and Australian to over 1.7 kilometres of the Princes project Nowra Completion Date: Mid 2024 Governments. It will improve traffic flow Highway to provide three lanes in and ease congestion on a major section each direction, as well as intersection

Sussex Inlet Project Benefits: of the Princes Highway and deliver upgrades at Bolong, Illaroo and • Improving safety, capacity safer, more reliable journeys within the Bridge Roads. Milton and efficiency across the Nowra ‑Bomaderry area. Ulladulla The old Nowra Bridge will be repurposed Shoalhaven River The project’s need is based on the asset following project completion and • Removing over height and over replacement of the existing southbound further investigations into the repair mass restrictions on the existing bridge which can only carry highway work required will occur once traffic Batemans Bay southbound bridge traffic for a limited time, has substantial is removed from it. maintenance costs and restrictions on Moruya • Improving local and regional connectivity overheight vehicles. • Improving pedestrian and cyclist access, safety and connectivity

Bermagui Contractor: Fulton Hogan

Bega

Tathra

Eden

Artist impression of the Nowra Bridge project, looking north

22 Improved intersections Improved connectivity Safer and more reliable access Better pedestrian and cyclist links to local roads

What has happened What is coming up? so far? September 2020–March 2021 March-September 2020 • Detailed design finalised following • Early work started to prepare community feedback for construction, including site • Closure of Scenic Drive and Bridge establishment, utility and geotechnical Road to provide a safer working area investigations, demolition of acquired • Completion of the temporary properties and vegetation clearing rock platform • First sod was officially turned to mark • Piling and foundation work to start the start of work in mid June 2020 for the new bridge • Work started on the temporary • Traffic changes will come into effect rock platform at various locations across the project • Detailed design and urban design as the project progresses and landscape plan was displayed Geotechnical investigations in the Shoalhaven River – March 2020 for community feedback • Removal of concrete medians on the Princes Highway to allow traffic to be shifted and a new work zone created

Construction of the temporary rock platform from the southern foreshore – August 2020

23 South Batemans Bay Link Road

Waterfall The NSW Government has committed $30 million Project Snapshot Bulli Tops to connect the Princes Highway to Glenella Road,

Gwynneville which will complete the South Batemans Bay Link Wollongong Current Status: Detailed design Yallah Road project. Oak Flats Start of Construction: TBC

Gerringong Berry Completion Date: TBC The proposal includes a new roundabout What has happened Bomaderry on the Princes Highway. Glenella Road Nowra Project Benefits: (formerly part of The Ridge Road) would so far? • Increasing access and capacity also be upgraded as a new two lane road Sussex Inlet to support future growth which connects to the Princes Highway. March–September 2020 Council completed • Environmental assessment and Milton • Better, safer and more reliable Stage 1 of the South Batemans Bay Link Ulladulla trips for people and business, concept design were prepared and Road in 2019 which connects George between the Princes Highway put on display for community Bass Drive to Heron Road. and southern coastal villages feedback. 58 submissions were Batemans Bay currently experiences received Batemans Bay • Enhancing the liveability of • Submissions report completed and Batemans Bay and contribute congestion along Beach Road and in the Central Business District due to growth project approved in August 2020 Moruya to its attractiveness, South Batemans 7 in the region and increased traffic Carry out detailed design Bay Link Road sustainability and success • during peak holiday periods. The South • Improving safety and reduce the Batemans Bay Link Road would improve What is coming up? severity of crashes safety, improve access for the southern

Bermagui • Improving traffic flow in the coastal villages and support the long September 2020–March 2021 Batemans Bay town centre term growth and development of the Bega South Coast region. •Award contract for detailed design Contractors: WSP

Tathra Australia (detailed design)

Eden

24 Artist impression of the Princes Highway, proposed roundabout and upgraded Glenella Road, looking east

25 Outcomes Road safety

Over the past six months, Transport has delivered work that has improved safety for our customers. The Princes Highway upgrade and the Saving Lives on Country Roads initiative aim to reduce the number of serious injuries on our network to zero.

Projects delivered as part of the Saving Over $16 million has been spent on Lives on Country Roads program over the Saving Lives on Country Roads the past six months have focused on initiative so far targeting the crash types Case Study: Safety improvements on the reducing run-off-road and head-on commonly related to lane departure and Princes Highway crashes by addressing high risk curves driver fatigue by installing a number of through improved curve signage, key treatments: Boardinghouse Road Doctors Creek upgrade widened shoulders, vehicle activated • audio tactile line marking signage and flexible safety barriers. Cost: $7.4 million Cost: $1.9 million • wide centreline combined with audio Complete Completed Safety features installed since March tactile line marking Status: Status: 2020 as part of the Saving Lives on : installing median Shoulder widening • flexible safety barrier Work Included Work Included: Country Roads initiative include the and roadside safety barriers and and widened centrelines. installation of: • motorcycle underrun shoulder widening • rumble strips • sealed shoulder widening at curves and on straights Mogo to Moruya safety • wider centre lines • curve alignment markers improvements • flexible safety barrier • curve advisory signs Cost: $1 million • motorcycle barrier • vehicle activated signs. Status: Work under way • wider shoulders on curves and Guardrail installation, straight sections Work includes: widened shoulders and the • curve alignment markers installation of flexible barriers at • curve advisory signs various sites on an eight-kilometre section of the Princes Highway. • vehicle activated signs.

26 Outcomes Workplace safety

The challenges of the past six months have placed greater emphasis on Transport’s commitment to ensure the safety, health and wellbeing of all workers.

The COVID-19 outbreak has required all workers to adapt their work places Case Study: Scott Fergusson stays safe as possible when working on the side to ensure their safety and the safety of their communities. of the road.

Since March, major projects including Scott Fergusson, from Nowra, is an Safety is at the core of Scott’s role. and colleagues to deliver safer and Batemans Bay Bridge and Albion Park engineer for Transport supporting a more reliable journeys for his local Rail bypass have developed a range of “Traffic Control is absolutely crucial range of road safety improvements community. protocols in their workplaces to prevent when my team’s working on the side throughout the NSW South Coast. the spread of COVID-19. This includes of the road. It’s what keeps ourselves Click on the image to hear Scott his hand washing and hygiene practices, While work and studies took him afar, and other road users safe.” travels on the NSW South Coast and encouraging vulnerable workers to he’s happy to be back home enjoying the importance of Safety in his role. Scott is looking forward to continuing stay home, carrying out daily health the South Coast and delivering his work on Princes Highway upgrade screenings, social distancing where valuable work for his community. possible and finding new ways to meet and working with his community with stakeholders.

Extensive traffic management plans have been developed to mitigate congestion and reduce the risk of accidents on major projects and safety improvement works on the Princes Highway including Albion Park Rail bypass, Berry to Bomaderry upgrade, Nowra Bridge project, Island Point Road intersection upgrade, Boardinghouse Road improvement, Batemans Bay Bridge replacement and Mogo to Moruya safety improvements. ‘The safety of our workers and road users is always our highest priority.’

27 Building resilience to natural disasters

A key focus over the past six months has been to repair the highway network following the 2019/20 bushfire season and improve the resilience and reliability of the highway to future hazards and emergencies.

Repairing and improving The NSW Government provided $43 million to repair and restore the resilience state’s transport networks. Over the past Case Study: Preparing for the future The 2019/20 bushfire season impacted six months, work on the Princes Highway vast amounts of road infrastructure and has included: severely affected the reliability of the In August 2020, Transport started transport network. 150 kilometres of the removing high risk trees along 350 Princes Highway was kilometres of the Princes Highway While the immediate response during fire damaged between Jervis Bay Road and the and after the bushfire events was to between Nowra and Victorian border. The work aims to open the network to enable movement the Victorian border improve the resilience of the highway of essential services and freight, the by removing vegetation that may past six months has been focused on impact the highway in a future repairing the Princes Highway and Over three kilometres bushfire event. ensuring the network is resilient and of guard rail was can adapt to hazards, emergencies or Environmentally and culturally replaced natural disasters. sensitive areas are being carefully assessed and impacts to local wildlife are being prevented or minimised. Over 320 signs were “Bushfire resilience enables replaced Our focus over the past six months Transport for NSW to has also been on the long term respond quickly when a resilience of the highway. We’ve been bushfire is occurring, adapt journeys if required and 840 guide posts were consulting with emergency services and other Government agencies to reopen transport networks replaced as soon as possible” understand how future upgrades to Joanne Parrott, the Princes Highway might further Director South improve resilience.

28 Outcomes Local contractor engagement

Transport is working with local contractors and prioritising Australian businesses to ensure our projects strengthen local economies and create sustainable employment opportunities throughout the regions we serve.

Services carried out on projects including the Batemans Bay Bridge replacement and the Albion Park Rail Case Study: Using local contractors to install noise treatments bypass include: • traffic control While we always try to minimise and • concrete supply prevent noise impacts when planning • asphalt production highway upgrades, sometimes noise • concreting, welding plumbing and reduction treatments on nearby electrician services properties are required. • metal fabrication Based on noise modelling almost • drainage supplies and installation 200 properties were identified as potentially eligible for treatment as • earthwork operators part of the Albion Park Rail bypass. • underboring services Locals contractors are carrying • small crane and equipment hire out noise treatments on these • quarry products properties, including installing fresh ‑air ventilation, fitting acoustic • local timber supply seals, installing window glazing and • hospitality including accommodation new windows. and catering The project has engaged six local • office administration resources businesses to supply and install the ventilation systems, windows and glass for the treatments. Photographs of at-house treatment work being carried out at properties as part of Albion Park Rail bypass.

29 Employment and training

Over the past six months, Transport has developed the skills of a future generation of workers who will work with us to deliver the Princes Highway upgrade into the future.

The NSW Government-led Infrastructure Highlights over the past six months Skills Legacy Program (ISLP) continues include: Case Study: Partnering with Yumaro in to provide employment opportunities • Batemans Bay Bridge project is just Batemans Bay in the construction sector for over half way through the project and under‑represented groups including has already exceeded its Aboriginal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Participation in Construction targets. Batemans Bay Bridge replacement services to people with a permanent people. The ISLP has now been rolled Over $2.5 million has been invested project has partnered with local disability in the Eurobodalla and out to multiple projects including Albion locally on Aboriginal businesses and disability support organisation Shoalhaven regions. Park Rail bypass, Batemans Bay Bridge employment. Yumaro to provide training and Local Yumaro workers are supporting and Berry to Bomaderry bypass. employment opportunities for local • About 70 per cent of workers on the the work on the Batemans Bay people with disabilities. The Princes Highway upgrade program Albion Park Rail bypass project are Bridge project by filling hundreds would create about 1000 direct and from the local community. Yumaro is a local NDIS service of sandbags for important 3000 indirect jobs for South Coast • 21 per cent of works on the Albion provider offering employment, environmental controls across communities, based on the existing Park Rail bypass are engaged as training, lifestyle, accommodation the project. commitment of $1.5 billion from the learning workers, with 12 trainees and and home and community support NSW and Australian governments. 16 apprentices on site. About 10,000 direct jobs and 30,000 indirect jobs would be created over • The Batemans Bay Bridge replacement the next 20 years if funding levels team is made up of seven per cent female, 10 per cent Aboriginal and are maintained. “This is a great initiative to almost nine per cent under 25. provide opportunities for local people with disabilities and we would like to thank the Yumaro employees for playing an important role on our project.” Jo Parrott, Acting Director Southern

30 Outcomes Aboriginal engagement and heritage

Transport is committed to working closely with Aboriginal people and groups throughout development and delivery of the Princes Highway upgrade program.

It is essential that before infrastructure Achievements over the past six months Aboriginal heritage investigations have projects start, the potential impacts on include: been carried out at the development Aboriginal cultural heritage are identified • The Aboriginal Participation in stage of major projects, including Jervis and managed appropriately. Effective Construction target total spend Bay Road intersection. consultation with Aboriginal people for the project is 1.5 per cent of is an important step in the process of the contract value, and to date the identifying Aboriginal objects, places or project has spent 88 per cent of this cultural values and minimising impacts target value. to ensure the long-term protection, care, conservation and management • Aboriginal participation on the of Aboriginal heritage. Batemans Bay Bridge project is currently at 10 per cent, exceeding Aboriginal Participation in infrastructure NSW state and project targets. construction plays a key role in helping • A mural is currently being painted in develop the skills of workers in regional the Nowra Bridge project Community areas as well as helping local Aboriginal Display Centre by a group of local people get the upskilling, training and Aboriginal youth involved in the South employment for a sustainable career in Coast Aboriginal Medical Service’s the construction industry on work sites Justice Reintegration program. across NSW. This mural design features two local Aboriginal groups with the rainbow serpent covering the bridge, the black duck which is a totem animal for the Nation, and Cullunghutti Mountain – a place of cultural significance for local groups.

31 Case Study: Story Telling and the Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program

Uncle Owen, of the Walbunja people, has played a key role on the Batemans Bay Bridge replacement project as mentor to the local Aboriginal community taking part in the Infrastructure Skills Legacy Training Program (ISLP).

As mentor, Uncle Owen is helping local Aboriginal young people earn a range of certifications and qualifications that develop the skills necessary to establish a career in the construction sector.

Trainees on the project are undertaking Certificates II and III in Civil Construction, and other accredited courses in areas related to the construction sector including Work Health and Safety, Conservation and Land Management, and Business Administration.

Through Uncle Owen’s mentorship, about 10 per cent of the project’s workforce is from the local Aboriginal community including 16 employees and seven trainees.

Uncle Owen is excited to see training and employment opportunities continue as the Princes Highway upgrade progresses throughout the NSW South Coast.

‘The ISLP gives the indigenous community an incentive and pathway to full time employment in a growing sector.’

32 Outcomes Engaging with community

We are committed to meaningfully consulting communities throughout all stages of a project and the past six months has redefined how we engage. We consulted on three Princes Highway Jervis Bay Road projects between Monday 16 March and Monday 13 April 2020. intersection

Transport adapted and innovated its improvements community engagement in response • Transport received 741 comments via to the COVID-19 outbreak. Our face to an online survey, 89 emails including face community information sessions four submissions from emergency and stakeholder meetings were services and one submission via video moved online. conference call with community group Vincentia Matters. We received feedback from over 1500 community members. Despite these challenging times, we enabled Milton Ulladulla bypass community members interested in • Transport received 590 comments via our projects to be involved in the an online mapping tool, 90 emails and decision-making process. 12 phone calls.

Moruya bypass • Transport received feedback from 89 people via an online mapping tool, who posted a total of 232 comments. Transport also received 63 emails from 57 individuals, one from a business group and one from a community group.

33 Stimulating local economies

The NSW Government is providing funding to support communities in response to economic impacts caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. As part of the Supporting NSW Economic Stimulus Package, Transport is delivering a range of works that maintain our road network and boost employment and stimulate local economies.

Since March 2020 over $1.5 million has been allocated to key projects on the Princes Highway corridor from Wollongong to Batemans Bay.

Work over the past six months has included: • repairing and resurfacing sections of the Princes Highway near West Wollongong • road widening, installation of roadside safety barrier, widened centreline near Bega • general maintenance, including rock removal, along the Princes Highway near Batemans Bay

Stimulus funds have supported general maintenance and safety improvements on the Princes Highway

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