Roads and Maritime Services will be using a site at Gulmarrad for a temporary batch plant to supply asphalt for the Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway upgrade.

A spokesperson said the community was invited to provide feedback on the proposed McIntyres Lane site in February this year.

“Following a review last year of asphalt supply for the project, Roads and Maritime identified a temporary batch plant would be needed to supply asphalt for the section of the upgrade between Tucabia and Maclean,” the spokesperson said

“The McIntyres Lane site, just west of the overpass bridge, was found to be the most suitable location because it satisfied all technical requirements, met all conditions of approval and has suitable site access from the existing highway.”

The spokesperson said the Gulmarrad site has been operating as a construction compound for the Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway upgrade since 2016.

“The project team will soon start work on the temporary asphalt batch plant at McIntyres Lane. Early work will involve installing environmental controls, including water treatment facilities and air quality gauges, and building temporary foundations,” the spokesperson said.

“Asphalt will be supplied from the temporary batch plant until 2020 and the site will be restored at the end of the project.”

For the section of the upgrade between Tucabia and Devils Pulpit, around 170,000 tonnes of asphalt will be supplied by temporary batch plants at Gulmarrad and Mororo.

Existing permanent asphalt batch plants at Alstonville and Coffs Harbour will also supply asphalt needed for the upgrade, including to sections north of Devils Pulpit and south of Tucabia.

For more information on asphalt supply for the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade and to view the consultation report for the batch plant, visit pacifichighway.nsw.gov.au.