Calala residents want road to Tamworth's CBD

On Monday, The Leader reported about leaked documents that showed a number routes council was considering to connect Calala to the city.

However, mayor Col Murray said it was still "very early days" in the discussion and no decision had been made.

"It isn't envisioned the new access will be required for quite some years,” Cr Murray said.

“It may not even happen in the next term of council.”

Mojo’s Cafe owners Scott and Moreen Williams said they would rather see a decision made “as soon as possible”.

“We need to keep the momentum going in Calala,” Mr Williams said.

“Council doesn’t want the traffic to be a hindrances to all the development going on and the money being spent.”

The confidential report indicated two of the most expensive routes, which would both have three bridges crossing the floodplain and link up with Armidale Rd, were possible options.

Both are estimated to cost more than $14 million.

Calala residents Bruce and Susan Turner said they “weren’t excited” by the Armidale Rd idea.

They would rather see the council look into the route put forward by the Tamworth Regional Ratepayers, who suggested connecting Calala Ln to Scott Rd.

“The Scott Road link looks shorter and more direct,” Ms Turner said.

Either way, Mr Turner said worked need to start soon if council wanted to get a handle on the traffic along Calala Ln, which was “crazy”.

“The problem is here now, the digging needs to start now,” he said.

Fellow Calala resident, Rhonda Madekey, said council should take its time to come up with the right solution.

“Even if we get a new road, it’s not going to change how impatient people are,” Ms Madekey said, laughing.

“Once we get it, people will complain that there are too many people using the new road.”