Work started this week on the replacement of a 64-year-old water main under Coldstream Street, Yamba.

Scheduling for the work, which commenced on Monday (May 20) will run until June 7, was determined after consultation between Clarence Valley Council officers and Coldstream Street businesses.

Council’s works and civil director, Troy Anderson, said that while the project was expected to take about three weeks, individual businesses and residents would be impacted for a much shorter time.

“The work will take place during the day or in the evening depending on feedback from local businesses,” he said.

“Staff door knocked and surveyed businesses there to work out the best time of the year and of the day that would cause them the least disruption.

“As a result we will tailor our operations to suit the needs of businesses in the area, in some cases working to meet the needs of individual businesses.”

Mr Anderson said there would be concrete cutting, creating some noise and dust with some disruption to businesses and local residents. 

“We’ll do everything possible to keep the disturbance to a minimum and there should be no disruption to the water supply,” he said.

“The aim of the project is to have a water supply that will be secure for at least another 50 years.”

The water main work will also allow council to complete a tree replacement/planting program in the street.

Just on 12 months after the council replaced tuckeroos on the eastern side of the street with advanced water gums, and is ready to do the other side. A realignment of the water mains means that work can now proceed without risk tree roots will impact on the line.