Member for Hawkesbury Dominic Perrottet has promised that Pitt Town will receive its long awaited bypass, and has made the bold statement that he wants to see construction start within his term of government.
Mr Perrottet and Roads and Maritime Services Sydney Executive Manager Colin Langford fronted a crowd of 50 Pitt Town residents on Monday, December 7.
The residents were there as part of a Pitt Town Progress Association meeting, where Mr Perrottet and Mr Langford were questioned, chiefly about the state of Pitt Town’s roads.
Mr Perrottet said the Pitt Town bypass issue had gone on long enough.
“I am completely committed to doing whatever I can to get this bypass built,” he said.
“We made a commitment to build the bypass.
“The state is going to come in and solve this issue regardless of whether we are liable to.”
Pitt Town Progress Association Peter Ryan, who has long campaigned for the bypass to be built, said he hoped Mr Perrottet was as good as his word.
Mr Perrottet also promised to find out what has happened to money Pitt Town land owners have donated to have the bypass built.
In recent years, Pitt Town residents have been levied $40,000 on top of their mortgage.
Mr Ryan said the previous Member for Hawkesbury Ray Williams told them the money was to have the Pitt Town bypass built, and would remain in a trust until the fund was big enough to pay for the bypass.
Mr Ryan said the money had since been moved from the fund, and there was no transparency as to where it was.
Neither Mr Perrottet or Mr Langford was able to shed any light on the whereabouts of the money.
“I’ve been in the role for nine months and I’ve never been more confused as to where the money is for a pretty straight forward constuction,” Mr Perrottet said.
Mr Perrottet said Roads, Maritime and Freight minister Duncan Gay had told him there were similar issues to the one in Pitt Town all over the state.
Mr Ryan said he did not think Pitt Town residents should have to pay for a road which they did not have access to.
“I would say that we are very keen on getting transparency on what is to be provided,” he said.
“What has been levied? Who is responsible for it? How much is there and what are the chances it will be spent on the infrastructure that is needed for Pitt Town?”
