Further to the story about Byron CBD roadworks and the cause for concern for local businesses arising from the timing, here in full is the response from Byron Shire Council to The Echo’s questions.
The Echo: No survey done for what is under the road, nor any guarantee it would mitigate flood risks. It isn’t a holistic solution to the existing drainage problem…
BSC: We have undertaken a detailed survey of the whole town, both of the drainage infrastructure and the subsurface services.
These drainage upgrades are in preparation for the Byron Bay Drainage Upgrade. Once the Byron Bay Drainage Upgrade is completed, this will significantly reduce the impacts of flooding to residents and businesses throughout Byron Bay’s town centre. The work on Lawson Street will also include fixing the road surface, improving the footpath and replacing the pavers with concrete so they can be used by everyone, and more.
More information about this project is available on Council’s website.
The Echo: Given the threat to the viability of this business and surrounding businesses, will Council staff move works to be after the holiday period and at night to minimise disruptions? Did council apply for the funding to allow for night work and to be flexible with time, i.e. not tied to timeframes?
BSC: We are planning to have work completed by the end of November 2024 (weather permitting). Council apologies for any inconvenience this causes, however unfortunately this work is necessary, as it needs to happen before construction of the wider Byron Bay Drainage Upgrade next year (construction planned for July to November 2025).
Council tries to plan major work outside of the December/January period, Easter, school holidays and Schoolies, wherever possible. If we were to push work to February next year, there is a risk that work would not be completed by July, due to this period being generally the wettest months of the year (February to June). This period is also extremely problematic for the construction of roads and drainage infrastructure due to delays and the need for dewatering. July to November is the best time to build because the weather is drier, minimising impacts to residents and local businesses.
Night works incur significant extra cost and do not represent value for money to funding providers. Also, they are not typically undertaken for these types of projects. As such, night works would not have been specified when applying to fund the construction of this project.
Night works will however be further investigated as an option to shorten the construction duration and minimise impacts to businesses if budget is available.
Grants are usually offered with a deadline date by which the works must be completed, as is the case for this project. Council has planned these works to deliver them in the shortest possible timeframe during the driest and least busy time of year to minimise impacts to local residents and businesses.
The Echo: Is Council prepared to offer compensation for the loss of business trade?
BSC: No, however Council will be considering opportunities to offer relief to businesses directly impacted by both the Lawson Street works and the broader Byron Bay Town Centre Drainage Project.
The Echo: How has Council considered the impacts of these businesses?
These works have been planned for several years, with residents and local businesses requesting Council for renewal of the road pavement and streetscape.
When considering the businesses we have invested in a Project Liaison Officer to be the person liaising between works crews and businesses.
We are also organising signage to ensure people are aware that these businesses are open.
We will aim to maintain pedestrian access throughout the construction period.
We will ensure local traffic/delivery access is maintained.
Design and consultation on these works started back in 2021. Council needed to secure funding for this work to happen and had to wait for the tender to be awarded and resolved at the 15 August Council Ordinary Meeting, before being able to confirm the date of works and provide this to business owners. Information was shared as soon as possible after the Council meeting earlier last week (w/c 19 August).
Council apologies for any inconvenience this causes, however unfortunately this work is necessary, as it needs to happen before construction of the wider Byron Bay Drainage Upgrade next year.
The Echo: Further information about the project and what it achieves?
Please refer to Byron Shire Council’s website for more information on this project. And the Byron Bay Drainage Upgrade.
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