How is Bellingen's "Road Renewal Program" going?
The road reconstruction of Gleniffer Road and diversion (Roses Road) is supposed to be completed by July 2023.
A preview at what once was a scenic forest road has now the charm of a highway. Apart from the logging scars along it, the road is widened and reveals steep bare gullies where the biodiverse flora and fauna has been eliminated.
The widened shoulders of the 'highway' are mostly lined with concrete gutters and culverts. The most fertile layer of the earth is sealed with a thick layer of cement. A rock-hard second skin entombs the living, fertile soil and brings great convenience to fossil fuel enthusiasts on their 'drive'. The road shoulder used to be soft with terrestrial orchids growing on the edges. Now it's given the hard shoulder to channel runoff and pollution down into the bush and the creeks as a fast runoff. It's called taming nature.
Concrete is considered the most destructive material on Earth, it is one of the main producers of carbon dioxide. “If the cement industry were a country, it would be the third largest carbon dioxide emitter in the world with up to 2.8bn tonnes, surpassed only by China and the US.”
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/feb/25/concrete-the-most-destructive-material-on-earth
The channeled cement gutter flow of these hydraulic stormwater structures has negative impacts on stream habitats and biota. Migrating animals find the widened road with slick cement hard to cross. The water quality and habitat become fragmented and degraded.
Soon the speeding vehicles will crack the cement blocks (As can be seen at any NSW roundabout) and they will crumble as rubbish into the bush.
The project doesn't seem to add to Australia's ‘fair share’ to contain global heating or refraining from engaging in extinction.
#Bellingen #Roads #subdivisions #logging #GlenifferRd #RosesRd #RoadConstruction #Soil #Wildlife #Erosion #Runoff #Flooding #Cement #Cars #FossilFuel #ClimateEmergency #Energy
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