The first workshop, in November, made us feel hopeful. NCW promised to assess the four alternatives discussed, which included a suggested route of their own. Their option did not combine with any other infrastructure and was almost identical to their first DA proposal, simply moving a few hundred metres to the south. Mr Preston, NCW's General Manager, said: "It has to be understood, at the end of the day the choice of route will be NCW's decision".

The second workshop was scheduled for mid January, however NCW brought that event forward to mid December. Although some environmental groups did not receive notice in time to send representatives, that was not the case for supporters of the scheme. Shannondale Road residents, who stand to benefit from the proposed road upgrading, and landowners at the Skinners Swamp area, opposed to any road near their properties, were represented in force at the field trip, which indicates they were informed in some other way. This led to NCW's subsequent claim of "wide community support" for their chosen route.

The December workshop was designed to show why any of the alternatives, other than their own preferred route, were unsuitable. We were told a cleared easement up to 40 metres in width would be required to combine power, pipes and road. Claims also that such a wide clearing would be an unacceptable gap for wildlife to cross, assuring us two cleared parallel easements, one up to 30 metres wide, the other 20 metres, would be preferable. Much of the Pacific Highway boasts a cleared corridor well under 30m; while Grafton's Prince Street contains a power line, 4 lanes of traffic (2 each way), a 4.5 metre medium strip and angle parking bays on both sides. Its total width, 32 metres. No decision on a route was made at that workshop. In February NCW unveiled their choice: a combination incorporating parts of three options, joined up to give an alignment that was never discussed at any time during either of the workshops.

Months of effort aimed at minimising impact have gone down the drain. NCW still propose to hack two corridors through the bush, one for the road, the other for power and pipelines. A really depressing aspect is that the Black Swamp wetland and associated creek, long seen as the best compensatory habitat available, is to be dissected in two separate places only a kilometre apart. The pipeline is to be trenched through the swamp destroying core Koala habitat, threatened Angophora robur trees and impacting the endangered swamp plant Lindernia alsinoides in the process. No geological study has been made to assess how this swamp is formed. A rare occurrence in sandstone country, this swamp is unique and could easily be avoided, and quite as easily destroyed by this action.

On Feb 4th with the aid of what was called a ‘triple bottom line assessment' consisting of a complicated set of charts, NCW management persuaded their delegates to vote for this latest choice. The charts included an assessment, social, economic and environmental, of all the routes. Impacts were assessed and quantified for each option, and comparisons to be made. I defy anyone to explain how those figures were arrived at. However imagine my surprise when, 3 days after those charts were released, the study ecologist informed me that as much as 30 - 40% of the route had not yet been assessed. Where did the figures, relating to environmental impacts of this latest route, come from? That answer can only be; they were a fabrication. Also, it appears that in assessing the various options, no consideration was given to the ecological impacts resulting from the 9km upgrade, widening and straightening, of Geregarow and Shannondale Roads, an integral part of the preferred option when comparing it with other options that do not require that upgrade. When added to the preferred route, I have little doubt these further impacts would make southern routes much more attractive and we have called on Minister Sartor to intervene.