More time for feedback on Little Hartley to Lithgow plans
13 December 2021
Community members will have more time to have a say on the environmental assessment and concept design for the western section of the transformative Great Western Highway upgrade between Little Hartley and Lithgow.
Transport for NSW A/ Director West Kristy Hartwig said extending the timeline for feedback to mid- January would provide more of an opportunity to consider the documents for the western section of the Australian and NSW governments’ jointly funded $2.5 billion commitment to upgrading the East and West sections of the Great Western Highway.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the community to help design the biggest road upgrade from Little Hartley to Lithgow,” Ms Hartwig said.
“We realise that people have a lot of competing priorities during the holiday season, so this extension will give everyone more time to review the proposal, have their say and help improve the highway.
“About 11,000 vehicles travel on this part of the Great Western Highway each day.
“This upgrade is going to ensure these motorists can reach their destination safely and smoothly every time.
“It will include new, safer intersections and also make use of sections of the existing highway as a service road to maintain access to local roads and properties.”
The Review of Environmental Factors (REF) and concept design for the west section of the highway upgrade will be on display until Sunday 16 January 2022.
Ms Hartwig said feedback already received from the community had included productive suggestions on improvements to the concept design which will be considered.
“Our aim is to develop a good, collaborative relationship with local stakeholders and we’re really pleased with the engagement to date," she said.
“It’s really important that the community has input into the project, so I would strongly encourage anyone with an opinion to have their say.
“Because of the volume of design material, the REF for Katoomba to Blackheath will be displayed separately, in early 2022.”
The community can review this REF online at nswroads.work/gwhwestconsult, or at Lithgow City Council Administration Centre and Lithgow Library Learning Centre.
Submissions on the project can be made until midnight on Sunday 16 January 2021 through the online portal at nswroads.work/gwhwestconsult, via email to gwhd@transport.nsw.gov.au or by post to Great Western Highway Upgrade Program, PO Box 334, Parkes NSW 2870.
Once submissions have been received, they will be assessed before a submissions report is released and the REF is determined.
More information is available at: nswroads.work/gwhd