Paul Bibby
Work is set to commence early next year on the construction of a ‘green spine’ running the length of Stuart Street, Mullumbimby.
As Byron Council begins planning for a $250,000 enhancement of the town’s main drag, Burringbar Street, plans are afoot for its other key promenade.
‘The “Greenspine” involves creating a leafy, pedestrian and cycling friendly Stuart Street that connects the green edges of town from Heritage Park to the Mullumbimby gardens’, a Council spokesperson said.
‘A detailed design for the whole of Stuart Street will be prepared that considers vegetation, landscaping, cyclist safety, the importance of car-parking – particularly in the town centre – and drainage.’
There are currently no bike paths on the vast majority of Stuart Street, and limited footpaths.
In addition to these works, there would also be a spine of native trees running down the centre of the street, incorporated with water sensitive urban design initiatives.
In addition to this, there would be a series of road upgrading works, including asphalt overlay to improve the road surface, improved road drainage, landscaping works and clearly delineated car parking.
The project is one of the first from the Mullumbimby Masterplan, a major blueprint guiding growth and change within the town which was adopted by Byron Council in November last year.
Intended to set the direction for Mullumbimby over the next ten years, the plan identified the green spine as a ‘priority action’.
The first part of the green spine project, to begin in March/April next year, will involve $660,000 worth of reconstruction and resurfacing from the western end of Stuart Street from Burringbar to Whian Street, or all the way to Fern Street if the budget allows.
This will be followed by improvement works at the Tincogan and Stuart Street intersections, in late June or early July.
Finally, Fern Street will get a smooth, resurfaced road including drainage and kerb/gutter improvements. These works will start following completion of the Tincogan Street intersections which is anticipated to be September 2021.
