The Googong and Burra communities have voiced their desire to have either a slip lane or roundabout installed at the intersection.

The release of further housing plots relies on the intersection upgrade.

Googong Township Pty Ltd has indicated it will not consider the slip lane or roundabout options.

The council resolved to approve an intersection with traffic lights, but also to work with the developer for a concept design that would accommodate a slip lane and expedite the purchase of the required land.

Council executive Phil Hansen said either a slip lane or roundabout would require additional land to be acquired.

The developer awarded a tender for the construction prior to the council approving it, a move that shocked many residents, said Googong Residents Association president Kevin Butt.

“The optics of this latest decision tells me the developer can do whatever it likes, and council will just rubber stamp their submissions,” Mr Butt said.

“What is the point of community consultation or seeking feedback on any proposals when you’ve already predetermined the outcome?

“The developer isn’t concerned with what is the best or the right outcome, but how they are able to save a dollar.”

Mr Butt claimed he was told “No” when he raised the prospect of a slip lane with the developer, followed by “it will cost too much money”.

Googong Township senior project director Malcolm Leslie said the traffic light design was chosen because it was found during the consultation phase to be the safest and most appropriate intersection.

Regarding the timing of the tender award, Mr Leslie said after the council’s feedback was incorporated to the concept design in August, “it was anticipated council approval would be forthcoming”.

Because of Googong’s rapid growth, the company was keen to start work as soon as approval was granted, he said.

The initial motion from Cr Michele Biscotti proposed to reject the current proposal and work towards the inclusion of a slip lane.

However, after concerns over the length of time compulsory land acquisition could take, the current plan was approved.

Developer contributions from Googong will be used to repay the $36 million loan the council has taken to fund the Ellerton Drive extension.

Cr Peter Marshall voted against the motion and said the developer was holding the council “over a barrel”.

“We’ve saved them a lot of money,” he said.

“They always tell us what they want. Maybe it’s time we tell them what we want and what the community wants.”

The developer was saved more than $20 million when the state government decided to fund the duplication of Old Cooma Road. Some councillors have called for the money to be used on other community projects.

Mr Leslie said discussions were progressing positively.