The state government has chosen a new method to build the M1 extension to Raymond Terrace bridge over the Hunter River without community consultation, say residents.
Transport for NSW has announced a temporary 80 metre rock platform will be built on the western side of the river, a 15 metre rock jetty will be put on the eastern side and barges will be used to create the 2.6 kilometre viaduct.
The department has never consulted the community on this option and said in a statement that "construction [of the new bridge] will start immediately".
Transport for NSW regional director north Anna Zycki said the change of heart came after "extensive community consultation" which raised concerns about flood and environmental impacts and the desire to deliver the project quickly.
She said the new plan provided safety advantages and would reduce the build time by up to four months.
"[This] minimises the period for risk of increased flood impacts to properties, without the need for dredging in the river," Ms Zycki said.
The department, and contractor John Holland Gamuda Joint Venture, has spent the past four months pushing a different option.
They wanted to build a rock platform up to 180 metres on the western side of the river at Tarro, upstream of the Hexham Bridge, which would then be removed and a smaller platform would be built on the eastern side to help finish the bridge.
Both the department and NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison backed this option, saying it was the fastest and safest for workers.
The department sent about 600 letters to affected residents explaining this option and the original option, which was part of the project's Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
The original option, which was using 25 metre small rock jetties, dredging and large barges, was given the green light when the M1 extension to Raymond Terrace project was approved.
Affected residents have been shocked to hear the state government has rubber stamped a completely different option.
They couldn't believe the government would do that without providing affected residents with updated flood maps that spelt out the impact on their property and without holding proper community consultation.
"How can they go and do what they want to do and not consult us on it?" Millers Forest resident Gloria Green said.
"We haven't been informed or consulted about this decision that they've made and we're not happy about it. This is a big shock for all of us.
"None of us know what the flood level is going to be on our properties. Not a word about this was said at the public meeting I called on August 27, not a word."
Nelsons Plains resident Lisa Gregory wants all affected residents to be given flood mapping, flood levels and community consultation on this new option.
"Last week they were still booking people for meetings to work out the flood mitigation measures," Ms Gregory said.
"We need to see documentation, we need to see flood maps about how this is going to affect us and we need to see all of this and be able to have our say on it before they give it the green light."
Swanreach Horse Stud owner Kiri Jenkins said the government needed to officially announce that Hinton was also affected by any rock platform that's put in the Hunter River.
"They can't keep ignoring the fact that we're affected," she said.
"We should be consulted. We flood before Millers Forest and any blockage in the river is going to delay the floodwater getting away."
