From now through to the new year is the high point for many businesses in Mullumbimby. It is the time when they have the highest turnover and make the money they need to see them through the leaner times of the year.
The current roadworks on Mullumbimby Road between Mullumbimby and the M1 have already seen some local businesses experience a downturn in business with one business, who asked not to be named, saying they have seen a 10-15 per cent drop on this time last year.
Longtime Made In Mullum member Lally Marshall agrees, telling The Echo that, ‘Even with the current roadworks, we’ve already seen a drop in foot traffic. If Mullumbimby becomes too hard to access over Christmas, it could be devastating, not just for us and the 70-plus small businesses we support but for the economic resilience of Mullumbimby as a whole.’
Outbound traffic closed
Stage 2 of the roadworks will see outbound traffic closed to all but emergency vehicles and school buses for at least four months from 13 October. The predicted closure has seen a significant outcry from local businesses and the community who say this is unacceptable.
‘This upgrade is long overdue. I have been in business in Mullum for over 45 years and this upgrade should have been done many years ago,’ said John Waterhouse who owns Mullum InStyle Living with Jo Newman.
‘My main concern is what impact Stage 2 will have leading up to Christmas and the Christmas school holidays. December and January are by far our best trading months. Without these my business will struggle to cover costs for the year.’
Customers reluctant to use Coolamon Scenic Drive
‘Also, customers from Ocean Shores, Tweed and further north will be reluctant to use Coolamon Scenic Drive to leave Mullum. It is a very narrow, winding road and is a recipe for serious road accidents. I have two staff members who live in Ocean Shores and they are very reluctant to use this road.
‘Night works have been thrown up as an option, but I do understand that there are delivery, extra costs and safety issues. If night works are not an option then the day works must be structured so that there is two-way traffic, albeit using stop-and-go one lane at a time, all day every day until completion.’
Paul Prior, President of Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce agrees telling The Echo that, ‘The Chamber can’t understand why a stop-and-go system is not in place during roadworks. If buses and emergency vehicles can get through, why can’t those who need to use the road, use it? To cut off access for four months is unheard of.’
‘Byron Shire Council should not have had the roadworks go ahead without access for the town that won’t damage local businesses and the community.’
A local business voice
According to local businesswoman Sharon McGrath, Byron Shire Council has been presented with two independent construction assessments that make it clear night works are possible.
The Echo approached Federal MP Justine Elliot and State MP Tamara Smith to ask if they were advocating for either night work funding or alternative options to closing the road for four months.
‘These are all matters for Byron Shire Council,’ Mrs Elliot said.
Ms Smith responded saying, ‘Many constituents have reached out to me concerned about the length of time of the works, the hazards associated with the detours, and the negative impacts on businesses.’
‘I have written to Council myself about the Mullumbimby Road roadworks, and it is hard to understand why a compromise for the community for at least some of the time, with night works, can’t be offered in some way to compensate for the significant impacts.’
Risk assessment
‘What is disappointing for the broader community is the lack of consultation and engagement. The risk assessment that Council has undertaken only relates to the risk to Council staff – which is of course important, but the social and economic impact of the roadworks on residents and businesses for four months is not evident,’ she explained.
‘Council do not appear to have followed their own community engagement strategy. This is sadly a trend across many projects of late – the proposed Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) for Byron, and Council’s 57 Station Street, Mullumbimby development just to name a few.’
October is Small Business Month and the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) is hosting free, hands-on workshops for Northern Rivers businesses and non-profits asking ‘Are you ready for the next disruption?’. As the NSW RA point out, ‘Northern Rivers businesses and non-profits have been through many challenges – floods, fires, cyclone and other disruptions such as power, transport and communication outages.’
Kill small businesses in Mullum
‘The four-month, one-way detour is going to kill small businesses in Mullumbimby and beyond,’ Ms McGrath points out.
‘It appears that the next disruption to local businesses in Byron Shire will be inflicted by their very own Council.
‘Recently I have responded to messages, texts, DMs and comments from business owners stating, “We get cancellations at [our business], people saying it will be too hard to get to us and they don’t feel safe driving the back roads. We have a [mental health] business and people have cancelled appointments until next year – now that’s very concerning for their mental health. I fear we could go under if we are cut off from customers for four months. I work a lot with the neurodivergent population and many of them can’t drive Coolamon or Myocum due to travel sickness, so it is going to cut them off from their community activities for four months – and that kind of change might mean that we won’t be able to get them back to these activities again in the future. A doctor reported that a senior patient from Ocean Shores, who needs regular check-ups and treatment, won’t come during the detour period as she is not confident driving the backroads. So, it’s not just the economy; it’s people’s health that you are putting at risk.” The list goes on,’ she said.
Calling for Council to reconsider
Locals and local businesses are calling for Council to reconsider how the project can be completed at less cost to the community.
‘Mullumbimby’s identity is built on its independent, small businesses. Many of us are still recovering from the floods, the pandemic, and ongoing economic pressures. This road closure, if not handled carefully, risks undermining the town’s resilience and putting local livelihoods at risk,’ said Ms Marshall.
‘What we need most is for Council to recognise the vital role that holiday trade plays in keeping us afloat and to take every step possible to protect small businesses during this period.
‘Postponing or staging the roadworks so that they don’t overlap with the holiday season would lessen the blow. Clear, widespread signage and updates so visitors know that Mullumbimby is still open for business is essential.
‘Working at night must be reconsidered. While there is talk of it being too expensive, Council needs to recognise what the significant cost will be to businesses in our community.
‘Why is it just Council’s bottom line that is considered? Was there an economic or social impact report done?’
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