Dunns Creek Road
- Project typeCapital works
- Project valueConstruction Stage 1 - $65m | Construction Stage 2 estimated $500m-$800m
- Project scheduleTo be confirmed
Background
Dunns Creek Road is a proposed road to connect Googong Township and Tralee to the ACT. The initial preferred route was for a connection at the intersection of Old Cooma Road and Googong Road, connection to Tralee and extension to the Monaro Highway through Sheppard Street into Hume. A Dunns Creek Road Alignment Investigation and Cost Review was prepared in 2015; Council adopted their preferred route in September 2015.
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 $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 has been working with NSW, ACT and Commonwealth departments; road and infrastructure agencies to progress this discussion for consensus on the concept and design for building Stage 1. We hope that agreement can be reached by the latter end of 2024.
A Dunns Creek Road corridor was registered on the LEP for a very small piece of land in North Tralee, and a report relating to this was presented to the 28 February 2024 Council Meeting. Council resolved to progress a Planning Proposal to relocate this corridor to the southern end of the Tralee Urban Release Area, which will enable a community housing project to proceed at its preferred location in North Tralee, near the Community Park, Community Centre and shops.
This followed a desktop review of this western alignment of Dunns Creek Road, which confirmed a road corridor was possible. Council has not allocated funding, or made any decisions in regards to construction of this road. 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.
The impact to residents will become clearer as the route options are prepared. We expect to receive the study from our consultants in coming months and a report will be prepared for Council. The study will be made available to the public as Council engages and consults with the community and residents.