MidCoast Council report they welcomed close to 100 attendees each day on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Saturday, they extended the consultation by almost an hour to cater for the crowd.

The drop-in sessions, which run until Wednesday May 3, provide locals and users of the busy Cedar Party Creek Bridge with the opportunity to review a range of different design options that have been developed for the future replacement of the current timber structure.

“The intention of the drop-in sessions is to allow people to visit at a time that suits them, for as long as they need, to talk with us about the designs and provide input that will help us identify the best possible outcome”, explained Ron Hartley, MidCoast Council’s director engineering and infrastructure services.

Eight different designs are tabled, with a focus on two technically-preferred solutions – one that proposes a replacement bridge on the existing alignment, and another that proposes a bridge built to the west of the current bridge, offering a softer entry from the bridge into town over the current site of Wingham’s Memorial Pool.

“The ‘Pool Relocation’ option formed the basis of many lengthy and lively conversations. Taking attendees through all options, and discussing the various pros and cons of each, has already proven to be a valuable exercise which we believe will allow the community to provide meaningful, informed input,” Mr Hartley said.

A common theme in relation to the ‘Pool Relocation’ option was whether or not a replacement pool would become a reality, and what it might look like. A lot of cynicism remains over whether or not a pool will be a reality should the pool relocation option be chosen. 

“We can confirm that a replacement pool has been factored in on a ‘like-for-like dollars’ basis as part of the initial budgeting for this option, and should it proceed, those funds would have to be dedicated to providing a new pool – they would not be available to divert elsewhere,” Mr Hartley said.

“With the current pool nearing the end of its serviceable life, the bridge project could provide a welcome opportunity for Wingham to retain a pool facility.”

Seemingly a lot of people do not understand, council say, that the cost of providing a replacement pool is included in the budget for the project. They often think a separate grant funding opportunity would need to be sought for replacing the pool, but this is not the case.

Whether people understand that the funding for the pool is included in the grant or not, they are often still concerned the funds set aside for the pool will be used for something else. This would not be the case as any grant application would need to specify budgeted items and then be used accordingly.

The community is worried about what ‘like for like’ replacement means and want to be assured the replacement pool will be 50 metres in length and include similar facilities to the current pool. The initial budget for the pool option included an estimate of $1.5 million, but as part of a grant application, if this option goes ahead, council will be required to not only consult with the community about what they want regarding a pool facility, but include a fully detailed design, budget and location.

Today is your last chance to visit the pop-up. It is open from 7am through to midday.

Detailed information and a short video is available, along with an online survey, at www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/cedarpartycreekbridge. The survey closes at 5.30pm on Wednesday 17 May.