Postponed Keen Street Footpath Upgrade

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This is a photo of Keen Street Lismore during the day.

Update February 2019 : Keen Street Footpath Upgrade

Since our last email to you on 19 December 2018 (please see below details), Council has received a letter from Telstra apologising for the delays in information and a statement that they are committed to working with Council in the future

A decision regarding whether the Keen Street Footpath Upgrade project will proceed is still yet to be made. The project will be considered in the context of Council's annual budget process for 2019-20. It is expected information regarding Council’s 2019–20 budget will be available to the public in May 2019.

Council staff will inform you of the progress of this project as soon as it comes to hand.


Update: Keen Street Footpath Upgrade Dec 2018

The Keen Street Footpath Project planned for early January 2019 is now postponed.

We have been forced to postpone the project, which was due to start on 7 January, due to a lack of critical information from Telstra.

The $1.3 million project was to include the reconstruction of both sides of Keen Street in the CBD, including the laying of NBN fibre-optic cable and new Telstra pits.

This is not the first time the project has been called off due to uncertainty from Telstra around scope and costs. We need this essential information in order for construction to take place.

We are very disappointed to once again have to postpone the project, and apologise to CBD businesses for the inconvenience.

We are frustrated by the lack of clear communication from Telstra. Despite assurances we would have the information we needed in plenty of time, this has not been the case.

A report will be presented to the February 2019 Council meeting on future options for the project and we will keep businesses and the broader community updated on Council’s decision.


Update February 2019 : Keen Street Footpath Upgrade

Since our last email to you on 19 December 2018 (please see below details), Council has received a letter from Telstra apologising for the delays in information and a statement that they are committed to working with Council in the future

A decision regarding whether the Keen Street Footpath Upgrade project will proceed is still yet to be made. The project will be considered in the context of Council's annual budget process for 2019-20. It is expected information regarding Council’s 2019–20 budget will be available to the public in May 2019.

Council staff will inform you of the progress of this project as soon as it comes to hand.


Update: Keen Street Footpath Upgrade Dec 2018

The Keen Street Footpath Project planned for early January 2019 is now postponed.

We have been forced to postpone the project, which was due to start on 7 January, due to a lack of critical information from Telstra.

The $1.3 million project was to include the reconstruction of both sides of Keen Street in the CBD, including the laying of NBN fibre-optic cable and new Telstra pits.

This is not the first time the project has been called off due to uncertainty from Telstra around scope and costs. We need this essential information in order for construction to take place.

We are very disappointed to once again have to postpone the project, and apologise to CBD businesses for the inconvenience.

We are frustrated by the lack of clear communication from Telstra. Despite assurances we would have the information we needed in plenty of time, this has not been the case.

A report will be presented to the February 2019 Council meeting on future options for the project and we will keep businesses and the broader community updated on Council’s decision.



Ask a question about the footpath upgrade and we'll get back to you shortly.

  • Share Hi, thanks for the information regarding the footpath up grade. You have provided dates for Keen Street, ending in March, and mentioned there is no money to do Woodlark and Molesworth Streets, however no mention of Magellan Street, is that not part of the plan? Thank you on Facebook Share Hi, thanks for the information regarding the footpath up grade. You have provided dates for Keen Street, ending in March, and mentioned there is no money to do Woodlark and Molesworth Streets, however no mention of Magellan Street, is that not part of the plan? Thank you on Twitter Share Hi, thanks for the information regarding the footpath up grade. You have provided dates for Keen Street, ending in March, and mentioned there is no money to do Woodlark and Molesworth Streets, however no mention of Magellan Street, is that not part of the plan? Thank you on Linkedin Email Hi, thanks for the information regarding the footpath up grade. You have provided dates for Keen Street, ending in March, and mentioned there is no money to do Woodlark and Molesworth Streets, however no mention of Magellan Street, is that not part of the plan? Thank you link

    Hi, thanks for the information regarding the footpath up grade. You have provided dates for Keen Street, ending in March, and mentioned there is no money to do Woodlark and Molesworth Streets, however no mention of Magellan Street, is that not part of the plan? Thank you

    Jyllie Jackson asked about 6 years ago

    Thanks for your question. There was some minor work completed in the last financial year on  Magellan Street.  This included some repairs to the pavers, converting some of the tree grates to synthetic grass and gardens plantings. At this stage there are no further works proposed for Magellan Street footpath.  Lismore City Council will paint a rainbow walkway in Magellan Street at the pedestrian refuge in late November. YOu can read more about it here. 

  • Share Wasn't Keen Street footpath done up just recently???? with the concrete stencilling etc. I know that Art Galleries and Quadrangle are of the upmost importance to council. But everyday Rate payers just want to go to town on a road that won't damage their vehicle and do their shopping. $1.5m seems an excessive amount of money for something to make only one street look pretty..... how can you justify this when the roads leading to Lismore are a disgrace. The road that you have just done at Tuncester has already been patched and at the moment their are more holes than bitumen on the bits you "fixed". The road you did at Fernside has blown out again after only a couple of years. Please let me know how the decision to spend our rates on a footpath become so important? I am dumbfounded that council can consider this a good idea. When is LCC going to consider all their rate payers on Facebook Share Wasn't Keen Street footpath done up just recently???? with the concrete stencilling etc. I know that Art Galleries and Quadrangle are of the upmost importance to council. But everyday Rate payers just want to go to town on a road that won't damage their vehicle and do their shopping. $1.5m seems an excessive amount of money for something to make only one street look pretty..... how can you justify this when the roads leading to Lismore are a disgrace. The road that you have just done at Tuncester has already been patched and at the moment their are more holes than bitumen on the bits you "fixed". The road you did at Fernside has blown out again after only a couple of years. Please let me know how the decision to spend our rates on a footpath become so important? I am dumbfounded that council can consider this a good idea. When is LCC going to consider all their rate payers on Twitter Share Wasn't Keen Street footpath done up just recently???? with the concrete stencilling etc. I know that Art Galleries and Quadrangle are of the upmost importance to council. But everyday Rate payers just want to go to town on a road that won't damage their vehicle and do their shopping. $1.5m seems an excessive amount of money for something to make only one street look pretty..... how can you justify this when the roads leading to Lismore are a disgrace. The road that you have just done at Tuncester has already been patched and at the moment their are more holes than bitumen on the bits you "fixed". The road you did at Fernside has blown out again after only a couple of years. Please let me know how the decision to spend our rates on a footpath become so important? I am dumbfounded that council can consider this a good idea. When is LCC going to consider all their rate payers on Linkedin Email Wasn't Keen Street footpath done up just recently???? with the concrete stencilling etc. I know that Art Galleries and Quadrangle are of the upmost importance to council. But everyday Rate payers just want to go to town on a road that won't damage their vehicle and do their shopping. $1.5m seems an excessive amount of money for something to make only one street look pretty..... how can you justify this when the roads leading to Lismore are a disgrace. The road that you have just done at Tuncester has already been patched and at the moment their are more holes than bitumen on the bits you "fixed". The road you did at Fernside has blown out again after only a couple of years. Please let me know how the decision to spend our rates on a footpath become so important? I am dumbfounded that council can consider this a good idea. When is LCC going to consider all their rate payers link

    Wasn't Keen Street footpath done up just recently???? with the concrete stencilling etc. I know that Art Galleries and Quadrangle are of the upmost importance to council. But everyday Rate payers just want to go to town on a road that won't damage their vehicle and do their shopping. $1.5m seems an excessive amount of money for something to make only one street look pretty..... how can you justify this when the roads leading to Lismore are a disgrace. The road that you have just done at Tuncester has already been patched and at the moment their are more holes than bitumen on the bits you "fixed". The road you did at Fernside has blown out again after only a couple of years. Please let me know how the decision to spend our rates on a footpath become so important? I am dumbfounded that council can consider this a good idea. When is LCC going to consider all their rate payers

    Beverley Riley asked about 6 years ago

    Thanks for your feedback regarding the state of our roads,I have passed on your comments to the appropriate staff. In regards to your questions, the section of the footpath on Keen Street, directly in front of the Northern Rivers Conservatorium, was upgraded recently and will not be replaced. We believe the rest of the footpath has not been replaced for over 30 years.  The need to upgrade the footpaths in the CBD was one of the outcomes of the extensive consultation process that took place in 2012 for the Imagine Lismore Strategic Community plan. 

  • Share Lismore councils needs to address rates and rent in the cbd so that businesses can start up again. Stop wasting money on things that aren’t nessicary. on Facebook Share Lismore councils needs to address rates and rent in the cbd so that businesses can start up again. Stop wasting money on things that aren’t nessicary. on Twitter Share Lismore councils needs to address rates and rent in the cbd so that businesses can start up again. Stop wasting money on things that aren’t nessicary. on Linkedin Email Lismore councils needs to address rates and rent in the cbd so that businesses can start up again. Stop wasting money on things that aren’t nessicary. link

    Lismore councils needs to address rates and rent in the cbd so that businesses can start up again. Stop wasting money on things that aren’t nessicary.

    Tahlia carr asked about 6 years ago

    Thank you for your feedback. As your comments are not directly related to this specific project, we have passed them on to the appropriate Executive Director


  • Share We really need to stop pumping money into the CBD, we need to have our get our priorities right....The CBD is never going to be any more than what it is, so it is not a priority....Fixing our roads is number one...We are a huge tourist destination and this increases the chance of more accidents on our roads. Keep us safe by fixing the roads first. on Facebook Share We really need to stop pumping money into the CBD, we need to have our get our priorities right....The CBD is never going to be any more than what it is, so it is not a priority....Fixing our roads is number one...We are a huge tourist destination and this increases the chance of more accidents on our roads. Keep us safe by fixing the roads first. on Twitter Share We really need to stop pumping money into the CBD, we need to have our get our priorities right....The CBD is never going to be any more than what it is, so it is not a priority....Fixing our roads is number one...We are a huge tourist destination and this increases the chance of more accidents on our roads. Keep us safe by fixing the roads first. on Linkedin Email We really need to stop pumping money into the CBD, we need to have our get our priorities right....The CBD is never going to be any more than what it is, so it is not a priority....Fixing our roads is number one...We are a huge tourist destination and this increases the chance of more accidents on our roads. Keep us safe by fixing the roads first. link

    We really need to stop pumping money into the CBD, we need to have our get our priorities right....The CBD is never going to be any more than what it is, so it is not a priority....Fixing our roads is number one...We are a huge tourist destination and this increases the chance of more accidents on our roads. Keep us safe by fixing the roads first.

    Karen Willott asked about 6 years ago

    Thank you for your feedback. As your comments are about Roads generally and not specific to this particular project, we have passed them on to the Executive Director of Infrastructure Services.


  • Share I am all for beautifying our town however I do feel the $ could be better used for more important things like the old saying goes 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'. Our roads are terrible surely we could use some of those $ to do something there. Plus whats the point in having a beautiful town with no businesses in it. Should you not try and rectify those issues first? on Facebook Share I am all for beautifying our town however I do feel the $ could be better used for more important things like the old saying goes 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'. Our roads are terrible surely we could use some of those $ to do something there. Plus whats the point in having a beautiful town with no businesses in it. Should you not try and rectify those issues first? on Twitter Share I am all for beautifying our town however I do feel the $ could be better used for more important things like the old saying goes 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'. Our roads are terrible surely we could use some of those $ to do something there. Plus whats the point in having a beautiful town with no businesses in it. Should you not try and rectify those issues first? on Linkedin Email I am all for beautifying our town however I do feel the $ could be better used for more important things like the old saying goes 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'. Our roads are terrible surely we could use some of those $ to do something there. Plus whats the point in having a beautiful town with no businesses in it. Should you not try and rectify those issues first? link

    I am all for beautifying our town however I do feel the $ could be better used for more important things like the old saying goes 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'. Our roads are terrible surely we could use some of those $ to do something there. Plus whats the point in having a beautiful town with no businesses in it. Should you not try and rectify those issues first?

    Amanda Bryant asked about 6 years ago

    We acknowledge your concerns regarding the challenges we face. Your comments have been passed on to the Executive Director of Infrastructure Services. 

  • Share The current CBD footpath surface started to deteriorate and look shabby only a short period after it was installed. What guarantees do we have that these new footpaths will be durable, aesthetically pleasing and easily dug up/replaced if underlying services need attention? on Facebook Share The current CBD footpath surface started to deteriorate and look shabby only a short period after it was installed. What guarantees do we have that these new footpaths will be durable, aesthetically pleasing and easily dug up/replaced if underlying services need attention? on Twitter Share The current CBD footpath surface started to deteriorate and look shabby only a short period after it was installed. What guarantees do we have that these new footpaths will be durable, aesthetically pleasing and easily dug up/replaced if underlying services need attention? on Linkedin Email The current CBD footpath surface started to deteriorate and look shabby only a short period after it was installed. What guarantees do we have that these new footpaths will be durable, aesthetically pleasing and easily dug up/replaced if underlying services need attention? link

    The current CBD footpath surface started to deteriorate and look shabby only a short period after it was installed. What guarantees do we have that these new footpaths will be durable, aesthetically pleasing and easily dug up/replaced if underlying services need attention?

    Linda Banbury asked about 6 years ago

    Thanks for your question.  Yes,  the current footpath is cracked significantly and is beginning to chip in many areas creating small trip points.  The upgrade to the footpath will involve replacing the current concrete with new pavers which will be more durable.   The new paver that has been chosen is well tested and has been used in shopping malls in Ballina CBD, Mackay CBD, Mooloolaba CBD and on the Gold Coast. Tactile pavers will be used to indicate hazards or directional changes to the assist people who are vision impaired. Lifting pavers for service repairs or adjustments will not be easy, but Council will keep a number of pavers at its depot for future repairs.  Council is upgrading all services whilst digging out the existing footpaths including the provision of additional conduits. This photo is similar to what the new pavers will look like.


  • Share Thanks for coming back to me however the response does not answer the question. I understand about the redirection of the $1.5m allocation but this does not address the embarrassing state of the footpath in Woodlark. It is yet another reason that people avoid the CBD and despite lots of noise about supporting local businesses, council is still doing nothing concrete about the state of the CBD Can you please advise when the rest of the footpaths in the block will be repaired. on Facebook Share Thanks for coming back to me however the response does not answer the question. I understand about the redirection of the $1.5m allocation but this does not address the embarrassing state of the footpath in Woodlark. It is yet another reason that people avoid the CBD and despite lots of noise about supporting local businesses, council is still doing nothing concrete about the state of the CBD Can you please advise when the rest of the footpaths in the block will be repaired. on Twitter Share Thanks for coming back to me however the response does not answer the question. I understand about the redirection of the $1.5m allocation but this does not address the embarrassing state of the footpath in Woodlark. It is yet another reason that people avoid the CBD and despite lots of noise about supporting local businesses, council is still doing nothing concrete about the state of the CBD Can you please advise when the rest of the footpaths in the block will be repaired. on Linkedin Email Thanks for coming back to me however the response does not answer the question. I understand about the redirection of the $1.5m allocation but this does not address the embarrassing state of the footpath in Woodlark. It is yet another reason that people avoid the CBD and despite lots of noise about supporting local businesses, council is still doing nothing concrete about the state of the CBD Can you please advise when the rest of the footpaths in the block will be repaired. link

    Thanks for coming back to me however the response does not answer the question. I understand about the redirection of the $1.5m allocation but this does not address the embarrassing state of the footpath in Woodlark. It is yet another reason that people avoid the CBD and despite lots of noise about supporting local businesses, council is still doing nothing concrete about the state of the CBD Can you please advise when the rest of the footpaths in the block will be repaired.

    MH asked about 6 years ago

    Thanks for your feedback regarding the CBD, I'll pass it on to Councillors and appropriate staff. There is no commencement date confirmed for footpath upgrades on the remainder of the CBD block (Molesworth and Woodlark Streets).  Staff are seeking alternative funding to complete the remainder of this block however,  until this is identified Council is not in a position to undertake this work.  Any remaining funds at the conclusion of the Keen Street footpath upgrade will be put towards cleaning and repairs of Molesworth and Woodlark Streets. 

  • Share Great news that the footpaths are being addressed in the block. When is the rest of the block being done? on Facebook Share Great news that the footpaths are being addressed in the block. When is the rest of the block being done? on Twitter Share Great news that the footpaths are being addressed in the block. When is the rest of the block being done? on Linkedin Email Great news that the footpaths are being addressed in the block. When is the rest of the block being done? link

    Great news that the footpaths are being addressed in the block. When is the rest of the block being done?

    MH asked about 6 years ago

    Thanks for your question. In 2016, Council budgeted $1.5 million to pave the inner block of the CBD (four streets). However, the relocation and replacement of telecommunication services cost far beyond what was originally expected. Council has decided to use the money to fix one CBD street in its entirety (both sides).

  • Share I see Council is looking after it own interests not the interests of the whole CDB on Facebook Share I see Council is looking after it own interests not the interests of the whole CDB on Twitter Share I see Council is looking after it own interests not the interests of the whole CDB on Linkedin Email I see Council is looking after it own interests not the interests of the whole CDB link

    I see Council is looking after it own interests not the interests of the whole CDB

    Ikabod asked about 6 years ago

    Thanks for your feedback. Council believes the upgrade to the footpath and amenities on Keen St will be beneficial to all of the community.