TENTERFIELD is about to strike an issue that could really divide the community.
The announcement about route tenders being called for the Tenterfield bypass means we have to start worrying about the implications for the town right now.
The tenders are not for a heavy vehicle bypass, they are for a traffic bypass. Route investigation is not just for the western side, but for both the western and eastern sides of town.
Both the state and federal governments have promised community consultation and that is where it is critical to have your say.
The whole town will be impacted in some way by this development, whether it be through loss of property, an increase in safety, or a decrease in business.
Think about the potential options and weigh up the one you think is best for you, your family and your business.
Whatever route is selected, it will affect somebody.
It is also time to take our heads out of the sand and come up with a strategic plan for how we “grow” our town if there are no longer visitors streaming through it.
Tenterfield has a lot to offer and all that will still be here, even if the highway is not.