Old dairy delays Albion Park traffic study

Albion Park is still a long way from having its traffic problems solved as a result of Shellharbour City Council’s deferral of the Albion Park Traffic Study at its November 13 meeting. The deferral stems from Cr Tom Hawker’s resolve that the council avoids a “Band-aid” solution to the future road infrastructure in Albion Park. “What is needed is a proper by-pass, not a through-pass that diverts traffic flow from Tongarra Road to residential streets,” Cr Hawker said. One of the sensitive issues the council is grappling with is a heritage order applying to the old Albion Park Dairy on the property Tulkeroo, which sits on the alignment of the proposed new traffic through-pass. Tulkeroo owner 84-year-old Lloyd King said there had been talk of a new Albion Park traffic route through his property since his family acquired the old dairy in 1949. “I’m pretty sure it won’t happen in my lifetime,” he said. At the instigation of Cr Hawker, the council has agreed to defer endorsement and public exhibition of a new Albion Park Traffic Study, pending an approach to the State Government requesting the removal of a heritage order on Tulkeroo’s dairy shed.
“I don’t think the heritage order should be lifted at all,” Cr Hawker said. “However, unless it is lifted, the new route cannot be completed in one stage. What is needed is a complete by-pass, not a through-pass.” The new study was completed in May last year and since that time discussions have been held with the RTA concerning the location of the future Albion Park Interchange. Issues include the need for the Albion Park West Collector, and any preference for a proposed northern or southern route; the potential future use of a north/south road link north-west of Albion Park through Calderwood Valley; the need and timing for the Tripoli Way extension; and the location of the F6 interchange in Albion Park.