A bypass to the north of Orange has been a long time coming and, as this old newspaper shows, debate has been raging about the best route for the road for more than 40 years.
Local man Jeff Bond discovered the newspaper in a wardrobe recently and marvelled at the headline and announcement that “final plans and specifications” for the bypass were being prepared by the Department of Main Roads.
According to the January 8, 1966 story, Orange City Council would consider the plans once submitted and vote in favour of proceeding with construction.
The article contains quotes from the then Department of Main Roads engineer, Mr. H. Vant, who hoped to convince Orange City Council and Canobolas Shire Council to proceed with the northerly option.
“We hope that the final plans will prove our case conclusively to Orange City Council that the northerly route is the best way to go. We are now drawing plans from these surveys and from aerial photographs,” Mr Vant told the Central Western Daily at the time.
So keen was the Department of Main Roads to proceed with the northern option that the department flew aldermen and council officers by helicopter over the route’s planned path.
As is the case with the current Northern Distributor Road plans, the 1966 proposal called for the bypass to leave the Mitchell Highway at Chinamen’s Bend, travel past Suma Park and reconnect to the main highway at Plowman’s Creek.
Mr Bond discovered the article as he helped a friend clean out his mother’s wardrobe after her death.
“I found it in the wardrobe stuck to the side in practically perfect condition. I couldn’t believe what I was reading especially when it seems we only just had a similar debate in town a few years ago,” he said.