Lismore Employment Lands Project

Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg was joined by Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan and State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin to officially open the $14.2 million Employment Lands project in Goonellabah.

The project is designed to unlock the Goonellabah Industrial Estate to spur investment and create more local jobs by extending Oliver Avenue to link with the Bruxner Highway.

Mayor Krieg said the project is important for our community as Council looks to attract investment to grow our local economy.

“It’s great to see this joint Federal, State and Council funded project now open. It creates more flood-free land for local industry that will create more local jobs,” he said.

“The project has been delayed due to the February 2022 natural disaster, but I would like to congratulate the construction team on the finished product.”

State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin emphasised the significance of the project.

“This project was important before the flood, it is even more important now as our local economy revives. Part of that is good transport infrastructure and additional industrial land. This delivers all of these things,” she said.

Works included the construction of the Oliver Avenue link, including a new bridge over Tucki Tucki Creek, a new roundabout at the Oliver Ave/Holland St/Taylor Ave intersection, modification/upgrades to the existing roundabout at Bruxner/Holland St to facilitate B-double movements, construction of a new public carpark at Hepburn Park and earthworks to Council-owned land at 260 Oliver Ave to facilitate additional industrial lots.

Council secured $11 million from the New South Wales Government, $2 million from the Australian Government, and contributed $1.17 million for the project.

Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan said the multi-million-dollar project would continue to open doors for the region and unlock further growth potential of the Industrial Precinct.

“This project will open up additional industrial lots on flood-free land, create better access to the estate, especially for heavy vehicles, and deliver a precinct that ensures local jobs stay in our towns,” he said.

“As the Northern Rivers continues to grow, it is important we have the infrastructure to support businesses who want to operate from our region.”

Works have progressed well over the past few months with many elements now completed:

• new Hepburn Park public Carpark - 100% complete
• kerb works at the North end of Oliver Avenue - 100% complete
• Oliver Avenue/Holland Street round-a-bout - 100% complete
• modifications/upgrades to the Bruxner Highway/Holland Street round-a-bout - 30% complete
• Oliver Avenue road extension - 90% complete

Council will continue to keep the community up to date with changes to traffic via our Your Say website and Facebook page with the project expected to be completed in June 2023.

Oliver Avenue/Holland Street round-a-boutHepburn Park carpark Hepburn Park carpark Oliver Avenue extensionRetaining Walls 100% Complete - koala fence still to be completed

Works have continued to progress well over the last few months of warmer weather.

The lighting component at Hepburn Park is complete and awaiting Essential Energy to finalise connection works. The Oliver Avenue/Holland Street round-a-bout is also nearing completion.

Other key elements that are under construction include:

• the new Hepburn Park public Carpark
• kerb works at the North end of Oliver Avenue
• modifications/upgrades to the Bruxner Highway/Holland Street round-a-bout
• the Oliver Avenue road extension

The second stage of the noise abatement works have also been completed which will support noise mitigation for local residents.

Council will continue to keep the community up to date with changes to traffic via our Your Say website and Facebook page.

Oliver Avenue/Holland Street new round-a-bout

new Hepburn Park public carpark

Oliver Avenue extension

You may have noticed the new roundabout that is currently under construction on the intersection of Oliver Avenue and Holland Street. This roundabout will form part of a very important project for Lismore’s future, the Lismore Employment Lands Project.

The Lismore Employment Lands Project will provide access to new industrial land for businesses by constructing key pieces of infrastructure. Opening more employment land means more jobs for the community and a stronger economy moving forward.

The project scope includes the following key elements:

• Construction of the ‘Oliver Avenue link’, including a new bridge over Tucki Tucki Creek.
• New roundabout at the Oliver Avenue/Holland Street/Taylor Avenue intersection.
• Modifications/upgrades to the existing roundabout at Bruxner Highway/Holland Street to facilitate B-double movements.
• Construction of a new public carpark at Hepburn Park.
• Filling of Council-owned land at 260 Oliver Ave to facilitate additional industrial lots.

This project is progressing well with works occurring on multiple fronts. These include the Hepburn Park car park, Oliver Avenue/ Holland Street roundabout and the Oliver Avenue link road (including the bridge).

The project is funded by both the State and Federal Governments and is anticipated to be completed by early February 2023.

Subgrade, kerb subsoil drainage and some topsoil has been installed for the Hepburn Park car park

Oliver Avenue/Holland Street round-a-bout is progressing

The great weather has continued over the past month which has allowed for works on Oliver Avenue to progress.

The key works occurring in the coming month include continuing of the following:

• Earthworks in the main alignment on the Oliver Ave Road extension
• The construction of the Hepburn Park new Carpark
• The construction of the new roundabout at Oliver Avenue and Holland Street
• Fill for the new industrial lots adjacent to new Oliver Avenue connection
• Stage two of the noise abatement works
• Installation of new NBN conduits
• Bridge construction for the new bridge over Tucki Tucki Creek
• Finalisation of footpath construction on the northern side of Oliver Avenue.

Noise abatement on identified houses has also progressed with stage one houses now complete.

Council will continue to keep the community up to date with changes to traffic via our Your Say website and Facebook page.

Work on the Employment Lands Project, has been steadily progressing, albeit at a slower than planned rate due to the ongoing rain.

They key works occurring in the coming month include:

• Continuation of earthworks for Oliver Ave road extension
• Commencement of earthworks and civil works for Hepburn Park Carpark
• Commencement of piling for new bridge over Tucki Tucki Creek
• Continuation of service relocations (Telstra, NBN and Water)
• Commencement of earthworks for new Roundabout at Oliver Ave & Holland St

Supporting works such as noise abatement and environmental offsetting plantings have also been progressing as planned. Footpath works along Oliver Avenue at the back of Toongahra Circuit will also commence over the coming weeks. Council will continue to keep the community up to date with changes to traffic via our Your Say website and Facebook page.

Works will commence on the new roundabout at the corner of Holland Street and Oliver Avenue on Wednesday 16 February 2022. Part of the clearing works for this project involves the removal of 5 large Tallowwood trees adjacent to Hepburn Park. This work is required to facilitate the new roundabout, as per previous updates the ratio of trees removed to new plantings is up to 10:1 – meaning 10 new trees for every 1 removed. Council will continue to provide updates as the works progress.

Did you know that more than 530 new trees will be planted as part of the Lismore Employment Lands Project?

Each tree removed as part of the project will be ‘offset’ via new plantings adjacent to Tucki Tucki Creek. The ratio of trees removed to new plantings is up to 10:1 – meaning 10 new trees for every 1 removed. A total of 220 new koala food trees and 310 rainforest trees will be planted as part of the project.

This work is being funded by project budget, which is predominantly made up of state and federal grant funding.

Areas in purple on the image indicate where tree planting will occur.

Construction of the ‘Oliver Avenue Link’ (part of the larger Lismore Employment Lands Project), is now underway, as residents may have noticed.

The preliminary works include tree clearing, establishment of sediment and erosion controls, and topsoil removal. Heavy machinery and tools such as chainsaws will be used for this work, so you will likely notice an increase in noise levels.

The standard hours of construction and when you can expect to hear noise from the works are 7am-6pm, Monday to Friday and 8am-1pm on Saturdays. No work will be undertaken on Sundays or public holidays.

Any issues related to noise can be directed to Alder Constructions Site Manager, Justin Newton by calling 0448 623 944 or emailing justin.newton@aldercon.com.au

Construction is anticipated to be completed in late June (pending weather).

We thank you for your ongoing patience and look forward to delivering this critical infrastructure for the community.

Site Establishment and clearing works to commence prior to Xmas for the Lismore Employment Lands Project

Alder Construction have recently been awarded the tender to complete the Lismore Employment Lands Project. The project involves the construction of the ‘Oliver Avenue Link’, construction of a new roundabout and off-street parking facility at the intersection of Oliver Avenue and Holland Street, modification to the existing roundabout at the Bruxner Hwy and Holland Street intersection, and the creation of new industrial land in the Goonellabah industrial estate.

Site establishment and clearing works will commence prior to Christmas with road works to commence early in the near year.

Part of the clearing works involves the removal of 5 large Tallowood trees adjacent to Hepburn Park. This work is required to facilitate the new roundabout (see image).

Each tree removed as part of the project will be ‘offset’ via new plantings adjacent to Tucki Tucki Creek. The ratio of trees removed to new plantings is up to 10:1 – meaning 10 new trees for every 1 removed. A total of 220 new koala food trees and 300 rainforest trees will be planted as part of the project.