Council staff are unrepentant around traffic changes in Mullumbimby that have negatively affected a busy mechanic in the town.
Mullumbimby Automotive was left without car parking for their customers, after new line markings were painted on Tincogan Street.
Residents fought hard for the zebra crossing – The Echo reported that back in July 2021, Council staff had promised to build a zebra crossing at the blackspot in response to the safety issues.
But when the reprioritisation project came back before Council in November, the zebra crossing was not included in the plans. This prompted lobbying of councillors, who then voted to install the zebra crossing.
Lost parking spaces
Mullumbimby Automotive employee Aaron told The Echo last week that the business lost ten sparking spots as a result of the new line marking and zebra crossing, leaving customers having to walk long distances to leave their car for repair.
He said, ‘Council did this with no consultation – parking officers came in and told us as they were spraying the markings’.
Aaron told The Echo at the time that they need three spots out the front of thier business to operate.
‘We contacted Council for assistance, but have not heard back’.
No assistance
When asked if Council would assist the mechanics on their issue, Council’s Acting Director Infrastructure Services, Malcolm Robertson, told The Echo, ‘Council staff spoke to the owners of the property and the lessees of the businesses prior to the crossing being installed, along with representatives from the Mullumbimby Residents Association and several community members’.
‘Three car park spaces adjacent to the business have been lost as a result of the pedestrian crossing going in’.
When asked what consultation there was, Mullumbimby Automotive employee, Aaron, replied this week that they were told a ‘long time ago’ of different traffic plans, which included traffic islands, all of which were voted down.
‘There was no notice of when this work was going to happen, and we were never told we were going to lose parking. We were given no option to negotiate’.
Aaron added Council’s decision has also put a strain on neighbouring businesses as well, who are all competing for parking space.
