Jervis Bay Bypass: Land sale approved by unanimous vote, but disagreements remain rife

A key South Coast infrastructure project has moved one step closer following a key vote by local councillors, despite a war of words between the council and an outspoken local MP.

In a unanimous vote, the Shoalhaven City Council have moved forward with a key land sale that paves the way for work on the multimillion dollar Jervis Bay Flyover to get underway.

The sale, which was deferred at the council’s June session, had become a sore spot between councillors and Kiama MP Gareth Ward who sparred last week over what Mayor Amanda FIndley labelled as a politicisation of the $125 million infrastructure project.

Ms Findley refused Mr Ward entry into an informational session between councillors and Transport for NSW last week, triggering renewed calls by the former-Shoalhaven councillor to refer the local government body to the corruption watchdog.

Ms Findley defended her decision at the council’s ordinary session on July 25, stating that the outspoken MP would not have assisted councillors, many of whom were new to local government, in understanding the long fought-for project.

“Mr Ward was not an appropriate person to be in that room,” she said.

“He simply cannot be trusted to make sure that every single word that comes out of every single mouth that is in that room will not be displayed, splashed on the news paper front paper.”

Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Amanda Findley

Ms Findley said councillors had to have the ability to ask the questions of TfNSW without being “belittled, bullied, harassed, and without being talked over.”

“Without our time, our precious time that we give up in order to represent the city as best as we can, being monstered by somebody else who thinks it‘s their precious time and their right to be in our meeting when it is not. It is not their right,” she said.

Councillor Evan Christen defended the controversial move by a majority of councillors last month to postpone the sale in order to seek more information from TfNSW.

“I wanted to get more information,” he told councillors.

“The land that we‘re talking about seems a long way from the junction. At the briefing, we found out that it’s going to be vital. That’s going to be the link road to the highway.

“I hope in future that everyone will understand that if we want more information on something it is because we want to do the best job for the community.

“This was community land which we would not normally be able to sell without permission from the State Government. I think we did the right thing calling for more information, and I‘m very happy to support it now that I feel fully informed.”

Those sentiments were mirrored by Councillor Patricia White, who hit out at Mr Ward for his calls to potentially have the council reported to ICAC.

“I was absolutely outraged by the comments in the media,” she said.

“What we were told was there was no material impact on us having a briefing. We did not stop the project. We did nothing. All we asked for was further information.”

Ms White said she was “disappointed” by messages on social media and emails received from members of the community voicing fears of further delays.

Transport for NSW has passed an important milestone as a planned flyover of the Princes Hwy over Jervis Bay Rd is given the green light. Picture: TfNSW

“They are truly uninformed and they only wanted to follow one person,” she said, referring to Mr Ward.

“Pick up the phone and ring the counsellors if you have a problem before you hit social media, because all you do is give the council a bad name when it‘s not relevant.”

An amendment put forward by Councillor Paul Ell would have seen state or federal members being invited to participate in future briefings on projects involving that level of government.

The motion failed to pass, with only Councillors Ell, Serena Copley, Greg Watson, and Mark Kitchener voting in favour.

“I wasn’t going to do this,” Mr Ell said.

“But, given some of the comments by councillors, I think it‘s entirely appropriate for us to include state members, or federal members, in briefings if they request to be included.

“I was surprised that the request was not granted by Mayor Findley. This briefing is hardly confidential. We invite in external agencies all of the time.

“We can add value to our briefings by inviting those members.”

In speaking against the amendment, Councillor White said while it was normal for state and federal government members to attend briefings, they should have to be invited to do so.

“I know that the Mayor and other councillors, as well as staff, meet regularly with the members and discuss all types of issues,” she said.

“If they want a briefing, they can go to the minister, and they can go to TfNSW with much greater ease than we can and get that briefing.”

Work on the Jervis Bay Flyover is due to get underway late 2022.