Aarons Pass Road Upgrade

Why we are Upgrading Aarons Pass Road

In April GEZ completed much needed maintenance to Aarons Pass Road.  A number of complementary emails and calls were received from members of the community recognising the quality of work being done by GEZ and local company A1 Earthworx.

Following the Determination of the Modification, Aarons Pass Road will now be upgraded.  The upgraded road will be an outstanding asset for Mid Western Regional Council.

Areas for vegetation removal were identified during the Modification process.  This resulted in 6.59 hectares of native vegetation being approved for removal.  Clearing is controlled by the Biodiversity Management Plan.  A copy of the plan is here.

Additionally several areas of non native vegetation and weeds along the roadside will also be removed.  These areas are not counted in the 6.59 hectares of native vegetation approved for removal.

Clearing Protocol

A Vegetation Disturbance Map has been prepared for the entire length of Aarons Pass Road.  It includes:

• The road design,
• All areas to be disturbed
• Location of Vegetation communities (PCT 277, PCT 290, non native)
• Individual Acacia meiantha and Pomaderris cotoneaster to be retained

When calculating the amount of vegetation to be removed a works buffer was placed around the approved road design to allow for construction activities to occur.

The blade swept path was taken into account.  Pruning of vegetation within this area will be required to allow for the passage of the blade components of the wind turbines.

Copies of this plan are available below.

Aarons Pass Road Vegetation Disturbance Plan 1

Aarons Pass Road Vegetation Disturbance Plan 2

Aarons Pass Road Vegetation Disturbance Plan 3

Aarons Pass Road Vegetation Disturbance Plan 4

Aarons Pass Road Vegetation Disturbance Plan 5

Aarons Pass Road Vegetation Disturbance Plan 6

A Clearing Chainage Table has been developed detailing all clearing activities within each 1000 m section of road.

A copy of the Clearing Chainage Table can be found here.

The finalised Vegetation Disturbance Plan is then marked out along the road by a suitably qualified surveyor and ecologist.  All finalised areas for vegetation removal, no go zones, pruning zones, translocation areas and habitat trees are surveyed and identified.

Managing Acacia meiantha

A number individual specimens of Acacia meiantha have been identified for removal and translocation.  Removal and translocation has commenced under the supervision of a suitably qualified ecologist with a number of plants taken to a greenhouse in Mudgee.  Following the upgrading of Aarons Pass Road these individuals will be relocated back into the road reserve.

An Acacia meiantha Translocation Plan has been prepared and can accessed here

Community Engagement

The upgrade of Aarons Pass Road by GEZ and their local contractor A1 Earthworx will take approximately ten weeks to complete.

During this time there may be short delays.

Traffic control will be in place along sections of Aarons Pass Road to ensure public safety.  Please follow the directions of the Traffic Controllers?

If you’re planning on travelling along Aarons Pass Road please check the latest conditions and travel times on our Facebook Page or call us on 1300 524 463 for an update.

Community Complaints

We take complaints seriously at CWP and we recognise that there will be times when things don’t appear to be running smoothly.

If you’ve got a complaint then please call us on 1300 524 463 or use the Contact Us form below and we will respond within 24 hours of receiving the complaint.