The NSW Farmers’ Association says the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) is taking too long to make decisions regarding the upgrade of the Hume Highway in Southern NSW, and this delay is affecting rural people’s lives and businesses.

Association president Jock Laurie says the RTA has been promising a decision on the Woomargama by–pass for the last 18 months, and enough is enough.

“The State Government and the RTA need to stop playing around with people’s lives and businesses, it’s simply not on,” Mr Laurie said.

“Our members in that region face a direct economic cost as a result of the pending decision, plus ongoing costs for the alteration of their business.

“While we and our members recognise that in any road construction project there will be landholders that are directly affected, what shouldn’t be happening is the continual delays and postponements that we are seeing in this case.”

A number of the association’s members have also advised that they do not feel the consultation process has been open, transparent or fair.

“It seems that environmental studies appear to have a greater influence than the economic and social impacts on those landholders who are directly affected, but while the environment is an important consideration it should be balanced with the respective economic and social costs,” he said.

“For instance, community members not affected by the western routes have been selected to participate in meetings whereas landholders affected by the western routes have had to request to be involved in the consultation.

“Landholders should know what they are facing in terms of the impact on their lives and businesses, and they should know now.

“A decision was promised 18 months ago, and at regular intervals since, and the fact that the State Government and the RTA have left these people hanging is a disgrace,” Mr Laurie concluded.