Molly Trevaskis
Sharp-eyed locals driving into Mullumbimby on Monday morning may have noticed a small but significant change to the iconic ‘Gateway to Mullumbimby’ sign.
The word ‘potholes’ had been stuck over the top, so that the famous sign read ‘Mullumbimby, the biggest potholes in Australia’.
The prankster even went to the effort of trying to replicate the writing on the sign, though arguably with little success.
His or her identity remains a mystery, but it is believed they struck some time on Sunday evening.
By Monday evening it was gone, with some suspecting the council had stepped in.
By then, the cheeky addition had already become the talk of the town, having been plastered all over local social media pages.
The prankster’s sentiments were shared by more than a few Shire locals.
Recent rains have seen potholes proliferate across the region, with patching crews struggling to keep up.
Byron council is at least making an attempt to shed the title of having Australia’s biggest potholes.
Last Thursday it allocated $31.3m to local roads and drainage, which is 63.5 per cent of its total capital expenditure.
According to the council, there is a contracted council pothole patching crew on a seven-week cycle through South Golden Beach, New Brighton, Bangalow, Byron Bay, Suffolk Park, Ocean Shores, Brunswick Heads, Mullumbimby and Billinudgel.
Though with the crew only operating two days a week, the war on potholes seems destined never to end.
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