Build the Overpass

JOEL Fitzgibbon said while he has announced he will be running for the seat of Hunter in the next federal election, he is still representing the concerns of local residents with the bypass.

After the federal election the Upper Hunter Shire area will no longer be part of the seat of Hunter and will become part of the seat of New England.

Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Federal Member Hunter

“I have received many letters recently in relation to the bypass and I can understand why residents are so frustrated,” said the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP.

“What began as a simple solution for an overpass to ensure emergency services were not delayed by trains, has become an over engineered fiasco,” he said.

“Four years ago I responded to increasing calls for an overpass by fighting for and securing $45 million in Commonwealth funds.

“The money was provided and the solution needs to be built.

“The height of the bypass is extraordinary and seems to be built for a tsunami rather than a one in one hundred year flood.

“The concerns I am hearing from residents is the design for bypass has become so overblown that there will be a budget blow out and the overpass may not get built.

“I share their concerns,” he said.

“I will also be following up on the issue of the bypass being 100 kilometres,” he said.

“While I won’t be the local federal member after the election, I am now and I will continue to represent the interest of local people,” Joel Fitzgibbon said.