Johns River

Is there a specific person within the police department that community groups such as the progress association could liaise with to resolve ongoing concerns with criminal activity in the community?

-- Linda Hazell, Stewarts River

Last year I called in twice to the site office of the RTA at the Johns River construction zone to ask why the highway sign from the north at the Johns River Exit did not also include the Hannam Vale name.

Eventually I was contacted and advised that all residents in the area had been sent forms for requests for signage.  Hannam Vale was not mentioned.  My argument is that previously, on the highway opposite the store, the sign "Hannam Vale 11" was clearly visible, it had existed for years for travellers from the north but now does not exist.  I was told to simply instruct expected visitors, delivery vans etc. to take the John's River exit!

We have recently completed a purpose-built luxury country guesthouse due to open within the next month - bringing tourists to the area - and are concerned that anyone without prior knowledge of the area will bypass the correct exit from the north.

Why is there still no sign to Hannam Vale?

-- Ray and Jenni Willmott, Hannam Vale

• Can someone from the RTA explain the criteria used to determine which part of the Pacific Highway have bitumen and which are just the noisier concrete considering Moorland is the only settlement  from Kew to Sydney that does not have the less noisy finish and in fact that there are sealed parts not even near houses or settlement?

• Can the RTA provide the results of the latest noise tests and what actions are proposed to alleviate the issue of increased road noise?

• Can the RTA explain why the community of Moorland should be worse off after the Highway upgrade because increased noise is impacting on the amenities of a far greater number of residents?

• Does the RTA in any way accept that increase in noise levels can be more than simply increased noise above a defined level at any one point?

• Can the RTA explain what is the financial difference between a Give Way sign and a stop sign and if there is no financial difference why for the  sake of community safety or even peace of mind why the turn off at Hannam Vale Road should not have a stop sign?

• Can someone from THE RTA offer any explanation as to the high number of job losses that have resulted from closing of businesses resulting from the bypassing of Coopernook, Moorland and Kew and why these are so much greater than the various Environmental Impact Studies for the RTA suggested?

• Can the RTA indicate what actions they believe they should take to compensate local communities for loss of jobs resulting from the bypassing of communities?

• Moorland is the only community along the Pacific Highway from Turramurra to Port Macquarie that has been cut in two by the upgrade.  All other communities have been bypassed completely or provided with an access road.  Will the RTA please explain, despite repeated requests, why Moorland has no safe access road between the two parts of the community?

• Further to this, will the RTA explain why the flyover at Johns River has a footpath providing pedestrian and cycleway access whilst the Forest Road Bridge (flyover) does not, despite the fact that the Pacific Highway splits the community in two at that point,  with many children and people requiring such safe access across the Highway to get to school, post office, soccer fields, tennis courts etc.?

• When will the RTA contact Greater Taree City Council regarding the inclusion of a shared path between the two Moorland precincts in its Bike Plan.  We were assured by the RTA that there is a dollar for dollar funding contribution available from the Bike Plan for such eligible works?

-- Elsie Stinson, Johns River

We really need to change some of our local cultural issues in this area which lead to obesity, living on the dole, and problems with youth in particular.  One way would be more recreation for kids in the area. 

What infrastructure can be provided, such as a skatepark, for village kids?

-- Sue Bayly, Johns River

  I complained about the noise to Theiss while they were doing the road and was told I would get a copy of the noise testing report - I haven't received it!

I received an answer from the last Roads Minister saying that the noise was due to the trucks and we would have to wait for legislation to limit the noise they make - it is not the noise the engines or brakes make, it is the echo from the concrete roadway. It used to be asphalt, so why isn't the the surface asphalt, too?

The trucks on the highway are noisier, and the sound lasts longer, than trucks going past my place down Forest Rd! The daytime is not s big problem but night and early morning the noise wakes me up. I will call everyone to let them hear the noise, next!

To RTA rep - When will the highway through Moorland be paved with asphalt?

Would Ms Williams please follow up on this?

-- Jan Delandro, Moorland

(directed to Greater Taree Council, RTA and State Government)

Are you aware of the discraceful state of the roads in this area? 

What impact does this have on visitors and tourists to the area?

Are you aware of the ridiculous maximum speed limits on these roads?

What is being done to remedy this situation?

From Frank Lauder, Australia Post Mail Contractor,
Area west of Johns River Rd to beyond Waitui.

The state of the roads in our electorate are disgraceful. As mail contractors, we drive on the roads 5 days a week undertaking this service and are constantly needing to make repairs to our vehicles, suspension, windscreens, shocks, etc etc. The major roads of concern are Coralville Rd, Long Point Rd, Juhles Mountain Rd and Waitui Rd.

These roads are graded but are not repaired so that after one rainy period, the road is as bad as it was before grading. The roads are dangerous.

Why are the roads not fixed and how much money does it cost the council / RTA to constantly fix the same issues over and over as opposed to resurfacing the road?

During the Coopernook – Herons Creek Project, the Post Office directional signs were removed from the corner of Hannamvale Rd and the Pacific Highway, under the proviso that they would be replaced once the roadworks were completed. Since this time, we have contacted Australia Post, RTA, GTCC and Thiess, as well as our local members at the time (Peter Besseling and Rob Oakeshott) regarding the replacement and have been advised by GTCC that the RTA will not allow the signs to be replaced as they do not like to promote individual businesses by placing signs on the highway.

We would question this as the RTA happily advertise cafes and petrol stations, as well as local attractions, and are happy to have post office signage all along the highway except for in Moorland. We have written to the RTA to no response.

Why will the RTA not replace the existing signage as was the arrangement in place? We would also like to ask Leslie Williams to follow this up as our current local member and as a former licensee for Australia Post.

The main road could do with barriers or something in place to slow these drivers down who are enjoying using it as a racing strip.

-- Name Withheld, Johns River

Why do my young children who are safely tucked into bed have to listen to the fowl mouthed and obscene language that the gang of  youths yell as they roar and speed past all hours of the night, burning rubber and screeching tyres. I

f these youths were to put in a hard days work in at school or at a JOB, they wouldn't have the energy to harass, break in to premises and do all the other crap that they seem to be getting away with.

We, the community voted you in Leslie, so come on, what are YOU going to do to make these youths wake up to themselves, and make them and their parents accountable for their actions?

-- Angry member of a beautiful Community (Name Withheld), Johns River

My house along with others was re-inspected for vibration damage, and I was supposed to hear back in February.

When am I going to find out what the results are? And when is the damage to my house going to be fixed?

-- Raymond Batkin, Locality Omitted

We have unlicensed, unhelmeted and unregistered trail bike riders speeding on our town streets.

What is happening regarding a police presence in Johns River to deal with this?

-- Christine Emerson-Hodgkisson, Johns River

The new State Government has announced a $7000 grant for people to move to the country and regions what plans are there to ensure they will be able to find a job when they move?

--Moorland Community Association

We seem to have more than enough kids in the village of Johns River to make a footy team.  

Why don't the kids play sport in the village oval?

- Floie Paton, Johns River

We are very proud of our Three Brothers area, it's natural beauty stretching from the Three Nellies to Diamond Head.  The RTA recently contracted a photographer to capture the essence of our region for the new gateway signage program for our bypassed communities of Kew, Johns River and Moorland.  

When will these gateway signs be erected and how will they look?

-- Chris Bawn, Johns River

My question is in relation to the Pacific Highway upgrade surface and the increased noise level on the highway since the highway was raised for the new road - probably by about 6 ft. and the surface is concrete. We live at Forest Road Moorland, and note that other villages that have been bypassed have had a bitumen type surface  to lessen the road noise.

There is more noise both out front and out back of our house now.  We have written to the RTA before with our concerns. When will something be done?

-- Lynda Spencer, Moorland

What is the reasoning behind deleting the filter lanes on to the Highway from various roads, including Algona.

How can it be safer to be forced to join the Highway’s 100km/h lane rather than proceeding along a short section of slip road at 30-40km/h while assessing the traffic situation?

-- Will Hagon, Middle Brother

Why are there such problems about walking, exercising and swimming our dogs in this big, sparsely settled, uncrowded area? It’s easier to find big, leash-free areas -  parks and beaches - in Sydney.

Why are people so miserably conservative about what is good for people and animals?

-- Will Hagon, Middle Brother

We feel the Hannam Vale and Waitui area has long been neglected and if action isn’t taken immediately, the consequences are dire for this beautiful area and the people that reside here. It’s a real shame that a lot of people living in the Mid North Coast area aren’t even aware that Hannam Vale and Waitui exist, let alone utilize our villages.

Could some sort of tourism budget be dedicated to unlocking this beautiful valley?

- Susan Mison, Hannam Vale

Many small towns which have been bypassed can suffer dramatic economic downturn due to the lack of passing trade. We (johns river) have made representations to the RTA over 12 months ago for a decision on village signage to promote the businesses therein to sustain our economic viability.

To date, the RTA has not responded to our letter. We recently readdressed this issue with the past state member who took the matter to the then-Minister for  Roads,  Mr David Borger.

We understand that the RTA has signage guidelines which are sensible BUT, they need to carefully consider the impact on small villages and provide adequate signage for businesses in these towns to promote the services more effectively.

Can you arrange for the new Minister for Roads, Mr Duncan Gaye to visit our villages to see first hand the impact of a bypass so he can take our issues to the management of the RTA?

- JRCPA

A couple of years ago, we learned that GTCC had a massive $147million backlog of infrastructure/asset works in the council area. Has there been any change or reduction in this backlog? Have the State Government assisted with additional funding to see important infrastructure upgrades occur with in the area, such as roads and bridges?

- JRCPA

We have an abundance of young villagers from 16 to 26 who wish to stay in their communities for family reasons, but are often without transport and almost no local job prospects. 

What constructive projects within our village can be funded by either  the state or local governments to assist youth to contribute more meaningfully to their communities?

D. Shepard, Johns River

• Can Council indicate whether it has received any funds from the RTA for   remedial works, landscaping and ongoing maintenance of the Old Pacific Highway at Moorland?

• Follow up. If so can Council indicate   its priorities for the use of such funds based on the recommendations of the Moorland Village Plan?

• Can Council indicate if any provision has been made in the 2011=2012 budget for the implementation of any of the recommendations of the Coopernook, Moorland or Johns River Village Plans?

• Can Council indicate how often it undertakes maintenance of the roadside reserves at Moorland South and in particular the dangers of overgrown vegetation at the traffic island at Forest Road, the and the intersection with Long Point Road?

• How committed is Council to the strategies and policies of the Community Engagement Plan   as also recognised in the its Community Plan 2010-2030. This question is asked on the basis that in two recent actions very important to the community those being the in development and placement of Town signage and the proposal to remove the B Double route Council did not follow its own plans and seek community input until forced to do so by the community.

• Does Council recognise the importance of signage for the economic wellbeing of bypassed and local businesses and if so can Council indicate if it is going to remedy the fact that signage is a prohibited use in the Rural 1 Zone that is applied to most land adjoining roads and the Highway in the district. This means   approval cannot even be given by a Development application?

• Has the RTA made contact with Council regarding the inclusion of a shared path between the two Moorland precincts in its Bike Plan.  We were assured by the RTA in February 2011 that there is a dollar for dollar funding contribution available from the Bike Plan for such eligible works.

We have had guests visiting Johns River comment how very unkempt and weedy everything looks driving in along Johns River Road from the north.  Who is reponsible for maintaining this area and why is it looking so bad?

Julie Cook, Johns River

I would like to see the bridge in Moorland that went through Norm Lamberts property called the Lambert Bridge as the Lamberts were pioneer people in Moorland having been on that property for over three generations Mrs Lambert was a very early settler in the district and that bridge on the highway cut their property in half.  Could we name this bridge after the Lambers?

Shirley Mansell, Moorland

Will Leslie Williams visit Hannam Vale and help us obtain funds to build a small grandstand in our multi purpose sports ground also known as The Hannam Vale Recreation Reserve. We don't have public transport so our community badly needs this recreational area?

S. Stumm, Hannam Vale

Why doesn't the roads section of the GTCC coordinate with the GTCC Tourism Board to keep Waitui Rd pot hole free. Tourists will not make return visits to the two B&B businesses which are suffering as a consequence.

S. Stumm, Hannam Vale

When is the GTCC going to make a regular schedule to keep Hannam Vale/Waitui Rd pothole free and in driveable condition?

S. Stumm, Hannam Vale