Geoff Helisma |
When construction of the new IGA supermarket in Maclean began it was a condition of consent that a plan was in place detailing “how construction traffic and parking will be controlled and how parking will still be available for the wider community during [construction]”.
These issues were meant to have been be addressed “when the Construction Management Plan is provided to Council for approval”.
However, construction began with the erection of the building site fence on July 16; the issue was presented as a late item to the local traffic committee’s September 18 meeting; and, at next week’s October 16 Clarence Valley Council (CVC) meeting, councillors will consider adopting the traffic committee’s recommendations.
On August 8, CVC’s general manager told the Independent, in response to the seemingly missing plan, that “the approved plans gave an initial indication of what would be implemented, with the understanding that adjustments would be made on site to accommodate the situation”.
The traffic committee’s main area of focus is the section of Centenary Drive from the Palace Arcade to Argyle Street.
The traffic committee recommends “establishing a defined walkway for pedestrians on the eastern side of Centenary Drive … including fencing between traffic and pedestrians”.
Pending the councillors’ decision, the existing loading zone would be temporarily relocated to the western side of Centenary Drive to the rear of the Westpac bank and the three parking spaces would be temporarily removed.
As a result, ‘no stopping’ signs would be erected adjacent to the temporary pedestrian walkway.
Two-hour parking restrictions would be implemented in the new Argyle Street car park and along on the eastern side of Clyde Street adjacent to the car park.
Staff advise councillors in their report that the Argyle Street car park and adjacent “area is now heavily used throughout the day, and it is appropriate to restrict the duration of parking in some sections to maximise the opportunity for shoppers to access the nearby businesses”.
“The proposed timed parking will remain indefinitely,” the report to council states.
The traffic committee – made up of CVC, the Member for Clarence, Roads and Maritime Services and NSW Police – unanimously supported the recommendations.
As far as who pays for what, “the developer is responsible to implement measures to manage traffic and pedestrians [and] CVC costs are restricted to wages for staff involved in determining the arrangements”.
“There will be some cost to install the parking restriction signs and to enforce the parking restrictions, with potential income from any penalties that may result from infringement,” the report to council states.
According to CVC’s development engineer, Nigel Sutton, there will also be improvements to facilitate pedestrian access to and from the car park towards River Street.
“A concrete footpath will be provided from the south-western corner of the car park to the Clyde Street kerb,” Mr Sutton has previously told the Independent.
“This will link to the existing path beside Argyle Street on the opposite side of Clyde Street.”