Increased traffic in Calderwood is causing issues for dairy farmers in the area. Photo: Envato.
More than 500 dairy cows crossing Calderwood Road could soon be competing with thousands of vehicles, cyclists and families with prams as development transforms the once rural area.
Shellharbour councillors have renewed efforts to secure a cattle underpass for the Tate family’s long-running dairy farm, warning rapid development and the planned upgrade of Calderwood Road are making the existing livestock crossing increasingly unsafe.
“We are getting to desperation stages with this, and the time is running out,” councillor Kellie Marsh told this week’s council meeting.
Crs Marsh and Mitch Ellis initially wanted the council to take the issue to Premier Chris Minns, but the motion was amended during the meeting to instead pursue talks with the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ planning team.
The council has previously advocated to NSW ministers for the underpass without securing a commitment to build or fund it.
“Unfortunately, this issue is getting worse by the day,” Cr Marsh said.
She said they were getting closer to the upgrade of Calderwood Road by Stockland, with a footpath and bicycle lane expected along Calderwood Road.
“That’ll be moving over 500 cows across the road, while you’ve got mums walking down the roads with prams, children on bikes going to school; it is not safe.”
Cr Ellis said the remaining dairy farms were an important part of the Illawarra’s heritage and agricultural economy, while increasing traffic made livestock crossings a growing risk.
“A dedicated underpass would completely separate the high-speed traffic flow and the slow-moving livestock,” he said.
He said more than 20,000 homes were planned for West Dapto and more than 5000 at Calderwood, arguing Calderwood Road would become an increasingly important north-south connection between Shellharbour and Wollongong.
“Constructing the underpass at the same time as the Calderwood Road upgrade minimises disruption of motorists and saves money compared to retrofitting one later,” he said.
The council owns the road reserve, while staff confirmed the state government-approved concept plan did not require the developer to provide a cattle underpass, meaning the council cannot impose it through subsequent development applications.
Alternatives including boom gates have been discussed, although the Tate family prefers an underpass.
Councillor Lou Stefanovski opposed another approach to the Premier, pointing to a response to the council after its previous motion from Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty offering access to the department’s agricultural land use planning manager.
He argued the council should pursue that opportunity first.
Councillor John Davey said the council had already unanimously supported an underpass and made its case to the State Government, which had responded that Calderwood Road was a local road and therefore a matter for the council and affected landowners.
He supported the benefits of an underpass but questioned repeating the same approach without new information.
“We are better advised to step back and allow staff the opportunity to continue conversations with their state counterparts,” he said.
“The Tate dairy farm has 520 cows, requiring a road crossing two to three times per month.
“Whilst disruptive to traffic when occurring, the frequency and duration of each crossing is not unduly onerous.
“Perhaps council should investigate the cost and efficacy of some alternatives, including livestock crossing lights.”
Councillor Rob Petreski similarly supported exhausting the avenue offered by the Agriculture Minister before escalating the issue.
“Now it’s all well and good to say, oh, we’ll just put some stoplights and we’ll put up a boom gate and all the rest of it; try that when you’ve got to herd over 500 cattle,” Cr Marsh said.
She said while they already had a permit to allow the cattle to cross the road, “they want it safe for themselves. They want it safe for the community”.
Earlier this month, Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said the issue was it being a local road.
“I understand when the road was built there wasn’t a decision that the farm wanted that and obviously as time’s gone on they have wanted it. That’s fine,” Ms Aitchison said.
“There is a cattle underpass program for funding. We’re in conversations with the Department of Regional because they are the administrator.
“We are in conversations about it, but it is a local road.”
Cr Marsh amended the motion to instead have the council engage with the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ planning team and provide it with information and concept plans for the proposed underpass.
The motion passed, with Crs Davey, Petreski and Moira Hamilton opposed.
