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1 July 2009
Lighthouse Road Update
According to Byron Shire Council's director of asset management services Phil Holloway, the revised geotechnical investigation of Lighthouse Road has been completed.
"Consultants GHD presented a number of options to staff and these have recently been put forward to Cape Byron Headland Trust,” Mr Holloway said.
"The meeting was positive and we have been advised that the Trust has accepted our recommended option,” he said.
Mr Holloway said he anticipates the GHD report and new design will go to Council in August.
"It is anticipated that the revised design will be more cost effective and attract a wider range of contractors tendering for the project. The tender process is expected to take 3 months.
"The new design will also have to undergo environmental and Aboriginal heritage assessments and requires the Roads and Traffic Authority ( RTA) to sign off as the funding body.
“The restoration works at Lighthouse Road are a high priority project however the planning, investigation, design and construction are complex due to the location of the work.
“The work has required significant geotechnical investigation, design, environmental planning and funding.
“The complex nature of the project required specialist design and construction as the work is outside the normal scope of Council activities.
“Similarly there is a great deal of consultation with National Parks, RTA and engineering consultants to repair the road,” Mr Holloway said.
Despite Natural Disaster Funding for the project initially being approved by the RTA only one tender was received in January 2008.
“At the time, the RTA declined to provide additional funding for the contract and suggested additional design investigation,” Mr Holloway said.
Based on the current program, construction of the Lighthouse Road wall and boardwalk is anticipated to be completed by September 2010.
Works already undertaken at the site include the construction of a retaining wall at Clarkes Beach Cottage and a new stormwater outlet.
The Lighthouse Road works are due to a major landslip in June 2005.
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Media Contact: Donna Johnston
Media Communications Officer
Byron Shire Council
Ph: 02 6626 7320
Mbl: 0419 609 189
Byron Shire is located at Australia's eastern-most point with a population of almost 29,000. It is a thriving community where residents and visitors live, work and play in a sustainable environment and where Council strives to deliver the highest standard of local government services and infrastructure.
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