Further to last week’s story around The Saddle Road upgrades upsetting residents, The Echo asked Council staff for more details around the project.
Those (The Saddle Road) roadworks were to facilitate traffic diversions for months of major Mullumbimby Road works, but are now on hold to allow more consultation.
The Echo asked, ‘Have Council consulted with all residents affected by these upcoming roadworks prior to the last 14 days? How many residents are affected by these plans? How many landowners were consulted? Do Council guidelines require consultation with affected residents? What timeframe is required prior to works commencing?’
They replied, ‘In mid-April, Council staff met with some stakeholders on Mullumbimby Road and The Saddle Road in relation to the upcoming roadworks, and dropped information into letterboxes. VMS signs advising of roadworks are in place’.
‘When more information is available, Council will implement broad-scale communications including media release/s, social media, advertising on BayFM and The Echo and direct emails and letters to stakeholders.
‘Information stalls will be held at the Mullumbimby markets. Community drop-in sessions will be held at Council across different times and an information session will be held in the industrial estate.
‘Council’s preference is always to advise people early of roadwork and, where possible, work with people to minimise disruption. For major projects disruption is often unavoidable, and workaround solutions are limited due to the geography and scope of the project’.
No cycleway
The Echo also asked, ‘Why has Council not incorporated a cycleway in their plans, despite it being approved?’
They replied, ‘The Mullumbimby to Brunswick Heads cycleway plans are currently under design development. The grant funding for the current roadworks does not extend to the cycleway as it is predominantly flood recovery funding. Funding will be sought for progression of the cycleway once the detailed design is completed by July.’
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