IT'S never surprising when our good neighbours in the Blue Mountains oppose some new development.
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But Blue Mountains Council will be applauded - and supported - way beyond its LGA boundaries in its looming war with the NSW Government against a newly announced 'four lane' highway project between Katoomba and Lithgow.
The planners freely admit the work will allow for full sized B Doubles to share the highway in the Mountains and through Lithgow and that's a horrifying prospect.
(At present these weapons of mass movement are not allowed eastbound beyond the Mudgee turnoff at Tunnel Hill).
Yes Minister; bigger is not better.
Even more obnoxious is the option to acquire and demolish homes and business properties fronting the highway at Blackheath, literally destroying a charming Mountains village and shattering property values.
The only real solution is the Bells Line expressway that has attracted nothing more than lip service over many years.
It's typical bullyboy development at all costs and you have the opportunity to express your concerns at public information forums at (among others) Hoskins Parish Hall next Tuesday, December 2, 5 to 7 pm or the Hartley School Hall Wednesday December 11 from 5 to 7.
Or you can check out the displays at Lithgow Library Learning Centre and get your submissions in by December 16 . We wonder what Lithgow Council has to say; they welcomed the announcement on face value after the political photo opportunity at Hassans Walls.
That old feeling
THERE was an unmistakable sense of deja vu in the word that Dimmeys Lithgow store will close, leaving the CBD with its biggest and most modern empty shop.
Dimmeys - a retail presence across Australia since 1853 - is closing all 30 or so of its stores and Lithgow goes along for the final ride.
It was the same fate that befell Sam's Warehouse several years ago. The big Lithgow store was reportedly the most profitable in the chain. But when Sam's empire went into receivership it too was one in, all in.
The older generation still casually refers to the Dimmeys Lithgow building as Braceys. The fifth and final generation of the Bracey family to be involved in Lithgow business life retired around 2007. So what now we wonder for this prestigious three level landmark site?
Evidence of their presence
WE'RE in the season of outdoors and picnics so it would be nice if Council could quickly (and on an ongoing basis) hose down the bird droppings festooning the park benches in Queen Elizabeth Park. Nice to have somewhere clean to sit and contemplate nature and it wouldn't break the budget (if they an find a tap anywhere in the park). A clean up on the historical marker at the playground end wouldn't go amiss either.
