PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS: R A R(
P. M. No. 57/ 1969
PROPOSED ROAD CONNECTION BETWEEN
CANBERRA AND TUMLJT
The Prime Minister, Mr. Gorton, and the New South
Wales Chief Secretary, Mr. Willis, today announced that the
Commonwealth and New South Wales Governments have agreed
that the future direct road connection between Canberra and Tumut
should follow a route via Wee jasper.
The two Governments are in agreement that although
there will be an ultimate need for a better road connection between
Canberra and Tumut, the present need does not justify its construction
at the expense of many works of greater urgency.
Both Governments have accepted the recommendations
contained in a report prepared jointly by the National Capital
Development Commission and the Department of Main Roads, New
South Wales. These authorities carried out a technical evaluation
of alternative routes between Canberra and Tumut and the benefits
likely to accrue to road users of those routes.
The Commission undertook an assessment of the
economic, land use and development, tourist and recreational aspects
of the proposed routes while the Department prepared an assessment
of the engineering aspects. The findings of these authorities were
contained in a joint detailed report submitted to the Commonwealth
and State Governments. The investigation followed representations by
Parliamentarians, Local Government Authorities and other interested
bodies for an improved and more direct road connection between
Canberra and Tumut. Two possible routes were investigated, one
via Wee jasper and the other via Brindabella.
The Governments have supplied copies of the report
to Commonwealth and State Parliamentary representatives of the area
and to Local Government bodies directly concerned with the proposal
for a direct road link between Canberra and Tumut.
CA NBERRA
11I July 1969