Lighthouse Road Restoration

Updated 14 July 2009

Byron Shire Council apologises for the inconvenience caused by the damage to this road and boardwalk. The damage is a result of the Natural Disaster of June 2005. Council is working with National Parks, the RTA and specialist engineering consultants to resolve the complex problems with repairing this road. This project is receiving the highest priority.

What’s Happened at Lighthouse Road

Major Landslip 30 June 2005 causes road and walkway to collapse
Immediate measures to set up pedestrian diversion & traffic lights
Geotechnical inspections undertaken July 2005
Geotechnical engineers inspection report received 4 August 2005
Demolition of section of walkway in August 2005
Initial Geotechnical drilling undertaken in October, report received by Council November 2005
Concept Design report received by Council January 2006. 2 options looked at which can be constructed with ROAD OPEN TO TRAFFIC DURING CONSTRUCTION which is critical in this location
Agreement with Cape Byron Trust and RTA on preferred option – an anchored bored piled wall
RTA advice received by Council 27 February 2006, that $200,000 is available for investigation, design and temporary works up to 30 June 2006.
Council is also providing funds to improve the road and stormwater drainage on Lighthouse Road from the slip site down towards Captain Cook Lookout.
Condition surveys carried out on surrounding properties July 2006
Further geotechnical drilling carried out August 2006
Geotechnical design report received by Council 27 September 2006
Detailed design and documentation has been completed for the entire project.
The restoration works have been split into 3 major sub-projects, including the “Clarkes Beach Cottage Gabion Wall”, “Lighthouse Road Stormwater Outlet”, and the “Piled Wall and Boardwalk”.
Construction of the “Clarkes Beach Cottage Gabion Wall” was completed in May 2007.
Construction of the “Lighthouse Road Stormwater Outlet” was completed in September 2007.
The “Piled Wall and Boardwalk” has been approved by NSW National Parks, and funds have been approved by the RTA based on a detailed construction estimate.
Tenders closed for the construction of the “Piled Wall and Boardwalk” on 24 January 2008. One Tender only was received for the proposed works.
Council resolved not to accept the submitted tender for the “Piled Wall and Boardwalk” at the Council meeting on 27 March 2008. (Council resolution 08-150)
A public meeting was held at Byron Bay Surf Lifesaving Club, on 17 June 2008 to advise of the issues regarding the completion of this project.
From April 2008 to October 2008, various negotiations and investigations were carried out following issues raised by the RTA relating to the failed tender process. The stakeholders involved in this process were Council, the RTA and Engineering Consultant GHD.
Council resolved to undertake additional Geotechnical Investigations & Design at the Council meeting on 23 October 2008. (Council resolution 08-664, and 08-665)
Council engaged GHD to complete the additional Geotechnical Investigations & Design.
Additional geotechnical drilling and testing was completed at Lighthouse Road from 24 February 2009 to 11 March 2009.
GHD completed a “Revised Stabilisation Options Assessment” by the end of April 2009, which includes 3 concept designs for consideration.
On 20 June 2009 the Cape Byron Trust confirmed agreement with Council’s preferred concept design.
On 24 June 2009 GHD were instructed to proceed with the design of “option 1” as presented in the options assessment report.

What’s Happening Now at Lighthouse Road

Detailed design and documentation of the preferred option is expected to be completed before the end of October 2009.

What’s Planned to Happen at Lighthouse Road

The reviewed design & specification will require renewed approvals from RTA and Cape Byron Trust
Tenders for the construction of the reviewed design would be advertised
If a tender is accepted by Council for the construction of the reviewed design, it is estimated that a contractor will be engaged by June 2010
Construction of the “Piled Wall and Boardwalk” may be completed by September/ to December 2010, based on the current program.