Development process
The development process for the upgrade of the highway between Gerringong to Bomaderry involves a number of stages before final approval by the Minister for Roads and the commencement of construction.
The identification process considers community submissions, technical investigations and outcomes of the project’s value management studies.
Throughout all stages of the development process, there is ongoing community involvement and consultation.
Project stages
The project stages include:
Preliminary investigations
Several studies have been undertaken since the early 1990s to identify a preferred route to upgrade sections of the Princes Highway between Kiama and Nowra, including a bypass around the town of Berry.
Previous planning studies include:
Development of preliminary options
Maunsell AECOM was engaged by the RTA in December 2006 to carry out an Options and Route Selection Study, Concept Development and Environmental Assessment for upgrading the Princes Highway between Gerringong and Bomaderry.
The development of preliminary options involved assessment of potentially feasible routes. The investigations comprised a review of existing background data, field investigations and analysis to provide a more detailed understanding of the physical, social and economic aspects of the study area. Specialist studies conducted during the route options development phase are presented in the Route Options Development Report (November 2007) on the Document Links page.
Short-listing of options
The identification of seven options involved an assessment of how well each of a large number of options best met the project objectives. The seven short-listed options were publicly displayed between 26 November 2007 and 29 February 2008 for community comment.
View interactive map of short-listed options (requires Adobe Flash player)
Following the display period, a three day value management workshop was held on 14, 15, and 16 May 2008 to review the outcomes of technical investigations, community feedback and consider the options against agreed assessment criteria.
In response to concerns from some community members that the short-listed options did not include a route to the south of Berry, an independent peer review of the route options selection process was completed in April 2008. This process was completed in July 2008 and was an important step in delivering on the RTA's commitment to ensure the project is fair and transparent.
Selection of preferred option
The preferred option has been selected as the option that best meets the project objectives and which performed well across a combination of the technical input gathered through investigations, community feedback and the findings of the value management process.
View preferred option
Download preferred option report (12.5MB)
This stage also included the public display of options for access to Gerringong and Berry. The short-listed options for future access were on display for four weeks until Thursday 13 November 2008.
View options for access to Gerringong and Berry
Further investigations and refinement
This stage of the project involves further investigation and refinement of the selected preferred option. It will include further investigation to determine selection of either the Prink or Green route and assessing access interchange options for Gerringong and Berry following the display period. An announcement on the Pink and Green route and access to Gerringong and Berry is due in mid 2009.
Concept Design
Concept design involves the development of a visual representation of the upgraded highway in preparation for community display and comment. This stage of the project is due to commence in the first half of 2009.
Environmental Assessment
The RTA is committed to undertaking activities in an environmentally responsible manner and to effectively manage any risks that may lead to an impact on the environment.
Meeting environmental needs fact sheet (PDF, 261KB)
The Environmental Assessment focuses on the key issues that are identified by the NSW Department of Planning and other agencies as important to evaluate the proposal, including potential social, economic or environmental impacts. Following acceptance of the Environmental Assessment by the NSW Government, it is publically displayed and written submissions may be made by any person within that time. This stage of the project will commence in early 2009.
Project approval
The NSW Minister for Roads will assess work undertaken throughout the project and make a determination as to whether it will progress to construction. This announcement is planned for 2010.
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