To the editor,
I refer to the ‘thumbs down’ about Pride of Oak Road in last week’s Phoenix. I fully agree with the sentiments expressed. Since taking occupation of my properties in 2002 I have had numerous occasions to write to Cowra Council about the dangerous state of the road. Only this year, again, I reminded council that they would have, or should have known the subdivision would have increased vehicular
traffic, and should undertake some upgrades including sectional sealing. Now with some 30+ residences in the locality the road is receiving very heavy traffic loads, by residents, construction vehicles, and visitors.
There are mechanical and engineering workshops, vehicle builders, apiarists, and my abattoir all attracting vehicular loads. The road is regularly narrowed to single lane, but must carry twoway traffic, including school children. It is only when we complain loud that we occasionally get a grader. Grading has been so incompetently undertaken that when it rains there is only a half lane to transit, the rest is flooded. If it wasn’t for natural slope of topography, drainage of the road is relatively non-existent.
The problem is not that we don’t want the road upgraded, but Cowra Council won’t upgrade it. I have even had the Mayor on site to discuss the problem. In earlier days a Cowra Council officer of influence to Council in a public meeting stated he wasn’t in favour of the subdivision (17 years ago) so wouldn’t support any road upgrades. I cannot understand why the problem of the road is so ongoing.
While the mayoral group is busy painting the rocks around the flagpole with incidental beautification programs such as the Kendal St and Railway Lane upgrade, which did nothing to improve traffic flow, they now propose a beautification plan for Redfern St, Cowra. The Director of Infrastructure seems only left to carry the paint pot. What a waste of salaried talent! And all at ratepayers expense.
I think the ‘Peter Principle’ applies. This was described many years ago, and simply states that in time people rise to levels of
incompetence, or in corollary all jobs are eventually filled by people unable to fulfil the tasks. Maybe the Mayoral role should be limited to a term, so fresh leadership can regularly be shown, as no leadership in local matters is apparent. It would be good if someone with the balls to make a decision to improve or upgrade on the road took action before someone is killed on it.
But I doubt that will happen.
Regards,
Stephen Tamplin
Pride of Oak