COUNCILS CALL ON ALL CANDIDATES TO MATCH REGIONAL ROADS FUNDING PLEDGE

By J. WILLOW

In the coming months, the construction of a roundabout linking Yamba Road to Witonga Drive will begin. This roundabout is part of the Yamba Quays development and is a requirement of the development consent. The roundabout is being constructed by Clarence Property and will provide new access to residential areas from the Witonga Drive catchment, signifcantly reducing the number of vehicles using the intersection of Yamba Road and Treelands Drive.

Clarence Property is also advertising properties for sale in stage three of Yamba Quays, necessitating the construction of the roundabout. The Clarence Valley Council approved a Construction Certifcate in July 2022 for the roundabout, with concurrence from Transport for NSW. In order to improve the quality and lifespan of the roundabout, the design has been changed from asphalt to concrete.

The council is actively working with the developer and their consultants Newton Denny Chapelle to design a works program, a construction management plan, and a traffc management plan. They are also currently considering the staging of the roundabout construction and investigating potential temporary diversions options, while also avoiding busy periods during NSW and QLD school holidays.

When complete, the roundabout will provide improved traffc conditions and will be the frst roundabout motorists negotiate on Yamba Road after the Oyster Channel Bridge. An apron on the southern side of Yamba Road will also allow Orion Drive to be redirected to join the roundabout in the future. Furthermore, there is road reserve set aside in this area for the future long-term planning for a second road into Yamba.