Dunns Creek Road
- Project typeCapital works
- Project valueConstruction Stage 1 - $65m | Construction Stage 2 - TBC
- Project scheduleTo be confirmed
Background
Dunns Creek Road is a proposed road to connect Googong Township and Tralee to the ACT. Council adopted their preferred route in September 2015, following a Dunns Creek Road Alignment Investigation and Cost Review. This initial preferred route connected at the intersection of Old Cooma Road and Googong Road and connected to Tralee and the ACT through Sheppard Street into Hume and extension to the Monaro Highway.
Since then, land along the alignment has been registered as biodiversity conservation land and a wildlife sanctuary. We have investigated if the previously adopted route is still possible, however it is conclusive that there is no possibility of development through these lands or offsetting elsewhere. The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust is responsible for administering the NSW Government’s private land conservation programs and these reserves are important grassy woodlands of the southern tablelands region.
What has Council been working on?
We have been investigating alternative routes which avoid the environmentally protected areas and minimise impacts on existing properties. The ACT Government has reiterated their previous advice that they do not support an ACT connection via Sheppard Street and that their preferred connection is via the Isabella Drive intersection.
In 2020, Council received $27m from the NSW Government for road design and land acquisition. Approximately $7,400,000 of this funding has been spent. In 2022, the Australian Government announced $65m for construction work associated with Dunns Creek Road.
We are currently looking at delivering the project in two stages.
What is Stage 1?
The first stage is the connection between Tralee and the ACT at or towards the Isabella Drive intersection. Our traffic modelling shows that Tompsitt Drive will become a pinch point as Tralee and the South Jerrabomberra Regional Jobs Precinct grows by 2031. Stage 1 helps to reduce this problem by providing a second exit from Tralee into the ACT.
Council is currently working with Transport for NSW, and in consultation with ACT and Commonwealth departments, to progress the design for building Stage 1. $65m from the Australian Government will go towards construction of this section.
A Dunns Creek Road corridor was previously registered on the LEP for a very small piece of land in North Tralee. Following a desktop review of the western alignment of Dunns Creek Road, Council resolved (28 February 2024 Council Meeting) to progress a Planning Proposal to relocate this corridor to the southern end of the Tralee Urban Release Area. This would enable a community housing project to proceed at its preferred location in North Tralee, near the Community Park, Community Centre and shops. A Planning Proposal will involve significant consultation with all stakeholders and property owners, and the objective is to have a road corridor registered on the LEP.
What is Stage 2?
Stage 2 is the connection from Stage 1 to Old Cooma Road.
Stantec has been engaged to prepare a study on route options for Dunns Creek Road, including assessment of impacts to residents and cost-benefit analysis. Three alternative routes are being reviewed, as well as No-Dunns Creek Road options consisting of upgrades to the existing road networks. The review will be completed, and a report prepared for Council in the coming months. The study will be made available to the public as Council engages and consults with the community and residents.