Local business owners affected by ongoing drainage works on Lawson St, Byron Bay are breathing slightly easier after learning that construction is about to finally be completed.
For more than two months, the shops on a 100m stretch of Lawson St have been forced to endure a major works project right on their doorstep, with Council contractors tearing up Lawson St, installing new stormwater drains, and then undertaking a full road resurfacing operation.
The works have forced the closure of the road, and left locals and visitors alike with the impression that the entire stretch was a building site.
Last week’s road resurfacing works created fumes that drove even the bravest customers away and left staff with headaches and damaged stock.
Plunge in turnover
Overall, the project has produced a plunge in turnover for at least 14 businesses, many of whom were already reeling from previous works, and the impact of a particularly quiet winter.
But the works are now finally being concluded, which is two weeks ahead of schedule.
‘There was a very notable difference in turnover,’ said Tomas Martin, owner of Boards in the Bay.
‘It kicked off in the first week of the September school holidays where we usually see a lift of at least 10 to 20 per cent. Instead we had a drop of 40 per cent almost instantaneously.
‘We’re somewhat fortunate here because we get significant business from the backpackers a couple of doors down and that continued to some degree. A lot of the other businesses haven’t been so fortunate.’
Byron Council copped a deluge of criticism over its decision to undertake the works during one of the busiest times of year in the Bay.
But it refused to postpone the project, saying that the timing was necessary to meet NSW government funding requirements.
Council was also unable to provide any financial compensation, or to undertake works at night to expedite the process.
‘It’s really amplified how disconnected Council is from small business,’ said Helen O’Carroll, owner of Bay Active.
‘They are supposed to be supporting us, but there has just been a complete lack of meaningful engagement.
‘We were so exhausted after getting through three months of Council construction work earlier in the year, and then they come along and say ‘We’re doing a full drainage upgrade in three weeks’.
‘We could be one that just doesn’t make it. It’s just crazy to think that we have had to conduct business in this environment.’
Drainage works to continue next year
The nightmare may be coming to an end for Ms O’Carroll and her neighbours, but the drainage works project in the Bay is set to continue.
The project is due to roll out across the Byron CBD next year, including significant stretches on Fletcher St, Lawson St west, and Jonson St. Council has promised that this work will not be undertaken during December or January.
Yet the business owners on Lawson St say more needs to be done to protect their colleagues.
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