Moruya residents say controversial bypass route threatens to destroy town’s livelihood

South coast residents are rallying to save more than 1000 trees and protect a number of animals which would be under threat if the government’s preferred route for a $200 million bypass goes ahead.

The NSW Government’s preferred route for the $200 million planned Moruya bypass is again under fire from local residents.

A petition calling for the government to consider a different route closer to the town’s CBD, created by Moruya resident Leslie Brown, has now gathered almost 12,000 signatures.

Deb Stevenson in front of some of the trees to be removed to make way for the bypass.

Dr Brown started the petition in an attempt to save what she says could me as many as 1000 trees along an almost two kilometre section of Noads Drive, which is part of the NSW Government’s preferred route.

He said the government’s preferred route from the North Moruya Industrial Estate to Donnelly’s road, south of town, should be changed.

“People don’t realise how many trees will be gone,” Dr Brown said.

Petitions are calling for a bypass route closer to the Moruya CBD. Picture: Transport NSW

He said the area along the government’s preferred route is known to contain echidnas, wombats and turtles, and the bypass will lead to “habitat fragmentation”.

“People think you can just plant ‘x’ more trees elsewhere and everything will be fine and dandy,” he said.

“Unfortunately that’s not the way nature works. Trees support entire ecosystems.”

“I’m afraid that we are slowly losing the battle to protect biodiversity.

“We’ve really got to start changing the way we do things.”

She said the government was “doing nothing but paying lip service to the environment”.

The NSW Government’s preferred route for the Moruya bypass. Picture: Transport for NSW

In June, 74-year-old beef farmer Peter Collett slammed the proposed route, which goes though his farm, claiming his business will no longer be viable if the road goes ahead.

In the same month, Moruya resident of 34 years, Yvonne Matthews, said the government had selected the “longest, ugliest, most expensive and most polluting option” for the long-awaited bypass.

Moruya Bypass Action Group member Deb Stevenson said the group was concerned about the critically endangered woodlands potentially impacted by the route.

“We’re not saying no bypass. We want a shorter bypass with less impact,” she said.

“It’s going to be very destructive. It’ll wipe out a lot of stuff.

“Eighty per cent of the bush was burnt in the bushfires, so we should be keeping it.

“We shouldn’t be bulldozing it.”

The group’s own petition calling for further consultation on possible routes has amassed 550 signatures.

Ms Stevenson said online consultations due to Covid restrictions have meant many residents have been left out of the conversation.

“Businesses are unhappy because drivers won’t even see Moruya from the bypass,” she said.

“Most people don’t know it will be a raised land bridge over the river.

“If they did they would be horrified.

“There’s a lot at stake.”

The Moruya area was hit hard by the Black Summer bushfires. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

She said landholders along the proposed route were concerned if they are forced to move they will become embroiled in the south coast housing crises.

“There’s no housing in the area, and they have family here,” she said.

A spokesman for Transport for NSW said the department would “continually welcome feedback and input” via the consultation process, the project email and via the phone.

“Transport for NSW is committed to consulting closely with nearby landowners and tenants and keeping them informed throughout the project’s development,” the spokesman said.

“Attempts were made to contact all owners and tenants within and near the preferred corridor before the announcement in May and Transport for NSW has kept in contact with owners and tenants throughout and since recent consultation.”

Transport for NSW has been contacted for further comment.