"Solve this problem or you will face the mother of all battles," a Dubbo Regional councillor has warned the NSW government on the River Street bridge.
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Dubbo Regional councillors underwent intense debate on Monday night over the River Street Bridge, and whether they should take action to stop the project.
The River Street Bridge has been designed to improve freight efficiency on the Newell Highway, reduce traffic congestion and provide an alternative route during a one in 20-year flood.
During the discussion, councillor Stephen Lawrence said the NSW government should understand that council could be "very powerful, if we choose to be" in a campaign to stop the bridge.
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He said there were numerous examples across NSW of local governments being very creative and forceful in stopping infrastructure projects.
"It's really to the state government's peril if they don't come to the table and solve this," he said.
"I certainly hope that if they don't, if there's not a genuine attempt to solve this, than we get advice back from the staff on our legal options. What options have we got, in what courts, to hold up or ultimately stop this project."
Mayor Ben Shields will be meeting with NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro and other senior ministers to discuss the bridge.
"I'd like to negotiate an outcome that is beneficial to both sides of the debate. Both sides can't bury their head in the sand and say they're entirely right. We need to work out that compromise position," Cr Shields said.
"That's the best outcome before we get the big stick out."
Following the discussions, another council meeting will be held to determine council's response, including if action should be taken to stop the work.
The River Street Bridge discussion came from a motion moved by councillor John Ryan. He wants council to formally express its opposition to the bridge and look into ways the plans can be stopped.
At the meeting, six people spoke against the plans. Most called for a bypass, rather than the bridge.
However, the state government has repeatedly said the third bridge and the bypass are two separate issues.