Concept plans are now on exhibition for a more pedestrian-friendly Burringbar Street, Mullumbimby.
According to the 26-page document available on Council’s website, it aims to provide more shade, and reduce vehicle access.
The town’s iconic palms are slated for removal, to be replaced with natives, which was met with online criticism by locals. Questions were raised around how the large lorikeet population, that nest there nightly, would be rehoused. Additionally, ten car parks are slated for removal, yet the plans do not address how displaced, and ever-increasing, traffic would be managed.
The following questions were put to Council staff:
Why were there no roundabouts proposed?
‘One of the design workshop concepts presented in Appendix A of the Exhibition Report did consider a small roundabout at the Dalley and Burringbar Street intersection. However, the Draft Concept Design prepared for consultation did not include any roundabouts, as they can have a negative impact on walk-ability.
‘In the town centre, it is really important that pedestrians can move around safely and easily get where they want to go. However, community can have their say on this topic through the online survey’.
With online public feedback, there is a lot of concern around palm removal, given there is no plan of management proposed around the lorikeet habitat loss. How do staff envisage the rehousing of these birds?
‘There has been no decision to remove palms from Burringbar Street. The Draft Concept Design is a very early consultation stage of the project.
‘As such, it is too early to develop strategies to address any potential impacts’.
Will traffic management be addressed prior to funding applications for this project? If not, why?
Do staff agree that addressing the traffic issue as a priority before this project commences would ease congestion on the street?
What traffic management is planned for the town? In the Draft Concept Design, it only mentions that ‘Road and footpath upgrades are also planned for Station Street and Fern Street’.
‘The Draft Concept Design for Burringbar Street aims to make it easier for vehicles to move around the main street’.
‘Under this proposal if vehicles choose to use Burringbar Street it will be a slow speed area and not as easy to move through as the surrounding streets.
‘This slow vehicle speed will make it safer for pedestrians to use and cross the main street.
‘This is consistent with one of the main project priorities from the Our Mullumbimby Masterplan to “formalise alternative routes” around the main street.
‘It is acknowledged that road and footpath upgrades for Station Street and Fern Street would need to be in place prior to any vehicle priority change at the intersection of Burringbar Street and Station Street’.
Who authored the design? It didn’t say.
‘Council in collaboration with design consultancy Better Cities Group – refer to the logo on the bottom right corner of plans’.
To view the document, visit the Burringbar Street Concept Design at Byron Shire Council website.
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