Rodney Stevens
The wait will continue for a new roundabout on Yamba Road at the intersection with Witonga Drive, as Clarence Property, the developer of Yamba Quays has taken a revised approach to reduce construction time and limit traffic impacts.
When the CV Independent published a story on the roundabout in April 2019, council’s then Environment and Community Director, Des Schroder said as a condition of the development a roundabout would be constructed when Yamba Quays proceeded to further stages of development.
In May 2019, another story explained the developer Clarence Property is responsible for funding a percentage of the roundabout at the intersection of Gumnut Road and Witonga Drive, and that no additional fill was to be transported to the site until the completion of the roundabout.
Then in a February 2023 story, Clarence Property stated the aim of the roundabout project was to limit the impact on the community.
Since then, equipment stored near the proposed roundabout location has been removed, and recently motorists have been using the area as a “shortcut” to access Witonga Drive.
When council was notified of this behaviour last week, numerous white roadside reflector posts were installed (pictured) to prevent vehicles using this “shortcut”.
A Clarence Valley Council spokesperson said the when the roundabout would be built was a decision for Clarence Property.
“The requirement under the development consent to construct the new roundabout has not yet been triggered,” the spokesperson said.
“The developer will be required to undertake community consultation before any works on the roundabout commences, and keep the community informed throughout construction.
“In relation to observations relating to motorist behaviour, Council will inspect the site noting that NSW Police is responsible for regulating traffic offences.”
Last week, Simon Dougherty of Clarence Property told the CV Independent when they realised the timeframe it could take, plus the traffic impact building the roundabout would have, they decided to create a temporary traffic diversion road, a process that is yet to be finalised.
“Clarence Property have been working through the preparation of a design for a diversion road which is intended to assist the Yamba community during the construction of the proposed Yamba Road roundabout,” Mr Dougherty said.
“Having recently secured the necessary planning approval for the diversion road from Clarence Valley Council, Clarence Property are now progressing with the civil construction designs which will require council consent.”
Before work begins, Mr Dougherty said the community will be consulted.
“Clarence Property is fully committed to coordinating a detailed community consultation process in association with Clarence Valley Council prior to the roundabout works commencing,” he said.
“At completion of the final civil design and formal tender processes, Clarence Property will be able to provide a more definitive timeframe around commencement of works and the community consultation process.”
The CV Independent will update the community when the tender process to construct the roundabout commences.