Local Nationals Member of the Legislative Council Ben Franklin and Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan joined Lismore City Council today to turn the first sod on the Lismore Employment Lands Project which will expand the Goonellabah Industrial Precinct.
Lismore City Council has received $11 million from the NSW Government and $2 million from the Commonwealth Government to complete the project. Council is also contributing $1.17 million to the redevelopment.
Mr Franklin said he was delighted to see the project get underway.
“This major redevelopment will support future growth of the estate, help create long-term jobs in the region and better connect to the Pacific Highway to make sure Goonellabah is the first choice for a business to locate,” Mr Franklin said.
“Easy and safe freight and heavy vehicle access is crucial for businesses and this redevelopment will ensure that the missing road links in the estate, including a bridge over Tucki Tucki Creek and roundabout at the intersection of Oliver Avenue/Holland Street/Taylor Avenue, are constructed.
“Improving heavy vehicle access and movements into and throughout the industrial estate is essential to make it safer and easier for businesses to conduct their day-today activities.”
Mr Hogan said that the multi-million dollar project would continue to open doors for the region and unlock further growth potential of the Industrial Precinct.
“As the Northern Rivers continues to grow, it is important we have the infrastructure to support businesses who want to operate from our region,” Mr Hogan said.
“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.”
Lismore City Council’s Director of Infrastructure Peter Jeuken thanked both the Federal and State governments for funding this important job-creation project.
“This project is great news for Lismore and great news for the creation of local jobs,” Mr Jeuken said.
“The extension of Oliver Avenue to the Bruxner Highway will unlock the untapped potential of the Goonellabah Industrial Estate and attract more job-creating businesses to the area, while the installation of the roundabout will improve safety and the new car parking at Hepburn Park will improve the area’s amenity for the community. The current entry to Lismore Industrial Precinct does not support a left hand turn for heavy vehicles, which means b-double truck drivers are required to travel past the precinct on Holland Street and make a U-turn at a high traffic intersection.”
To alleviate the road access and traffic issues, the following work will be undertaken:
- Construction of the ‘Oliver Avenue link’, which includes a 580m road and a including a new 20m bridge to span over Tucki Tucki Creek.
- Construction of a 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.
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