Bypass plans worry clubs

Walkaway’s equestrian clubs are worried they will lose members if the proposed Geraldton bypass limits access to club facilities for Arthur Road residents who live on lifestyle blocks. Some said they would sell up and move if part of their property was taken by a heavy haulage freight route, and many have said the new highway could cut them off from Walkaway. Walkaway Pony Club member and polocrosse sponsor Steph Johnson said people who would end up east of the bypass did not know where the exit and entry points would be. “They may have to travel 10km north to get 10km south to Walkaway, which is silly when Walkaway is only 20km from Geraldton,” she said. Greenough Polocrosse Club secretary Erin Cole said pulling members out of the community would have a huge effect on the town’s sporting clubs. “Walkaway is a ‘horse sport’ district,” she said. “If you are getting 100-acre blocks you can have a lot of horses.” Ms Cole said her club would lose volunteers if members lost the ability to keep so many horses and lost access to Walkaway’s facilities. Walkaway Polocrosse Club secretary Monica Thurkle said they did not want to lose any more families from the community. “With families relocating to Geraldton, it’s easier to join other clubs, and that’s what we’re worried about,” she said. Ms Thurkle said there were seven households within a 5km radius of her home, all with children who caught the school bus and played tennis and basketball and were members of the polocrosse club. “For me to get into Walkaway town, it only takes a couple of minutes to drop the kids into school and both my kids are involved in the pony club,” she said. “The proposed route would cut us off from Walkaway and we are worried having road trains right on our doorstep. “We’re worried we will lose that country lifestyle, we won’t be able let kids ride their bikes on the road, or go and visit neighbours.” Main Roads will accept public submissions about the bypass until January 31.