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 Rees says 'iron-clad agreement' to build Thornton rail bridge 

Rees says 'iron-clad agreement' to build Thornton rail bridge

14 Aug, 2009 04:00 AM
THE State Government is expected to spend $12 million building a new rail bridge at Thornton, much of which would probably be recouped later from developer contributions.

On site yesterday, Premier Nathan Rees said his Government had made an "iron-clad guarantee" to build the bridge, which would be two-lanes in each direction and would pave the way for housing development in the Thornton North area.

Detailed bridge designs were submitted to Maitland City Council for review in July.

Mr Rees said the Roads and Traffic Authority would seek development approval from the State Government as soon as the review was finished.

The RTA would put the work out to tender.

Mr Rees would not give a project cost because of the impending tender process, but previous estimates had put it at $12 million.

Under a Deed of Agreement with developers, the bridge would have had to be paid for in contributions before Thornton North development went beyond about 890 houses.

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Date: Newest first | Oldest first
$12 million wasted by an incompetent government. Stop spending money on these antiquated eyesores. Rail lines must be closed!
Posted by Jenny, 14/08/2009 10:19:47 AM, on The Herald
We've heard about Iron Clad agreements before...
Posted by Rod, 14/08/2009 10:27:15 AM, on The Herald
So why can't they also be built at Stewart Avenue and at Glebe Road?
Posted by de-railed, 14/08/2009 10:33:15 AM, on The Herald
This bridge should have been built before the last part of somerset park was built, as should have been an extension to the primary and a new high school. Not to mention upgrades of the local parks for under 6 yrs, shopping centre expansion, road upgrades (especially raymond terrace & gov't rd intersection), ... the list goes on, very poor planning by state and local gov'ts indeed.
Posted by Squashy, 14/08/2009 10:58:35 AM, on The Herald
Jenny don't you get sick of writing the same thing day in day out? How do you thing the Coal from the Hunter Valley get to the port? or the grains from the farmers to the warehouses, or the stock from the port to the cities? If you say trucks then you are delusional. There are not enough trucks, there are not enough drivers and there are not enough roads to cater for that. Ant the price increases of the groceries would be huge. Think about what your saying before you say it. Maybe contribute something constructive one day, i'm sure a constructive oppinion is welcome.
Posted by Nafe, 14/08/2009 12:36:20 PM, on The Herald
What a waste. The Glendale rail bridge and transport interchange is more important.
Posted by Jill, 14/08/2009 1:49:32 PM, on The Herald
Obviously Jill & Jenny haven't been up this way for awhile and seen how much this area has grown in the last 10 years. There are two industrial estates, a Supacentre,a major interchange at the end of one of the busiest freeways in the country, a new residential estate and another one planned and ONE entrance in!!! This is the two lane bridge that they are talking about and it has been there, with no upgrades, for as long as I can remember. I dare you to be on the bridge at the same time as the hundreds of buses and trucks that use it every day all day and not close your eyes and grit your teeth! My only concern is for the residents either side of the planned expansion, many will lose a lot of their front yards which is the only buffer from the huge volume of traffic that go past them all day.
Posted by Karen, 14/08/2009 5:04:12 PM, on The Herald
Jenny, I'm with Nafe a question: Why do you always do a copy & paste with possibly slight changes? I'm not saying they don't have a right to an opinion. Others (agree with them or not) at least give reasons.
Posted by NewcastleFlyer, 14/08/2009 6:37:12 PM, on The Herald
Forget to say: If Thornton is in a marginal seat, then that would be an "iron-clad guarantee" You only ever get them in marginal &/or minister's own seat.
Posted by NewcastleFlyer, 14/08/2009 6:39:04 PM, on The Herald
Is that a Premier with the local (I am a swinging seat..) MP...I think that says it all guys
Posted by Dave43, 18/08/2009 9:07:30 PM, on The Herald

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 'IRON-CLAD': Maitland MP Frank Terenzini and Premier Nathan Rees. - Picture by Peter Stoop
'IRON-CLAD': Maitland MP Frank Terenzini and Premier Nathan Rees. - Picture by Peter Stoop
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