Richmond Hill Rd upgrade reflects commitment to safety

Lismore City Council’s road crews are currently engaged in the reconstruction of a 560-metre segment of road between Roy Place and Laihaina Crescent. This project is part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the safety and quality of Lismore’s local road network.

The Richmond Hill Road upgrade, which began in September 2023, has already seen the successful reconstruction of a 1.8km section, significantly improving both safety and the longevity of the roadway.

Mayor Steve Krieg announced that the final phase of the Richmond Hill Road reconstruction will extend from the current endpoint to approximately 300 metres beyond the Laihaina Crescent intersection.

“This phase is in its final planning stages and is expected to employ the same methodologies and treatments as previous stages. Upon completion, the total length of reconstructed road will reach 2.7km,” Mayor Krieg stated.

In early June, work commenced on removing the old road surface over the 560-metre stretch. This was followed by in-situ stabilisation of the lower sub-base pavement layer, which involves incorporating a binder to enhance the performance characteristics of the sub-base, allowing for the reuse of existing materials in the new pavement design.

The stabilisation process uses a large reclaimer machine to mix the existing pavement material with the binder to the required depth. This mixture is then compacted and shaped to achieve the necessary geometry. A new base layer is subsequently laid and compacted to the finished surface height.

Additionally, the project includes adjustments to adjoining driveways, which may involve replacing pipe crossings and installing grates or concrete dish drains for improved stormwater management.

Mayor Krieg emphasised that the Richmond Hill Road reconstruction aims to enhance the road’s structural integrity, geometry, stormwater infrastructure, and overall ride quality. He acknowledged the challenges faced by regional councils in maintaining local road networks.

“Lismore City Council is responsible for 1215km of sealed and unsealed roads within our LGA. The extensive investment needed for such reconstructions and repairs would be unattainable without the continued funding support from our State and Federal partners,” he said.

The Richmond Hill Road project is jointly funded by the State Government’s Regional and Local Roads Repair Program and Fixing Local Roads Program, along with Lismore City Council.

For updates on the Richmond Hill Road upgrade, visit Council’s Your Say page at Lismore Your Say.

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Koala Funding Insufficient to Protect Species, Says Conservation Group

By Rob Heyward

The leading koala conservation and rehabilitation organisation in the Northern Rivers region has expressed concern that the NSW State Budget does not provide adequate funding to protect the iconic koala species from extinction, despite the allocation for the Koala Strategy.

Friends of the Koala had requested an annual investment of $500,000 for its Northern Rivers Koala Hospital. This funding was intended to cover equipment costs, veterinary staff, and the implementation of critical Chlamydia vaccination projects. Additionally, they sought $200,000 to support the operation of their koala rescue and rehabilitation teams, including enhancing their capacity to respond during natural disasters.

The organisation also asked for a $750,000 capital investment to upgrade and extend its hospital and rehabilitation facilities. Friends of the Koala treats and rehabilitates more than 350 koalas annually, with the number of koalas entering care increasing by 20% in the past financial year.

General Manager Silva Everaers highlighted the urgent need for funds: “Research continues to show that koala populations in the Northern Rivers are of state significance. We are deeply concerned that delays in funding will jeopardise our ability to continue our vital work effectively.”

Everaers noted that while the Environment Minister acknowledged the need to review the NSW Koala Strategy and appreciated their participation in the NSW Koala Summit and the Koala Strategy Discussion Paper, the Budget fails to provide the necessary funding to implement these commitments.

“The necessity to fund the vital work done by koala hospitals and rehabilitates cannot wait. The survival of our organisation, and koalas, depends on it. We need the resources to continue saving koalas every single day – and we need them now,” Everaers emphasised.

Friends of the Koala is supported by 300 volunteers contributing approximately 75,500 hours of unpaid work annually, representing over $3.5 million saved on service costs. This allows the organisation to allocate all revenue towards the support, care, and conservation of koalas.

President Allison Kelly highlighted the organisations long history of conservation efforts: “For almost four decades, we have worked to conserve koala habitat and protect koalas, rescuing over 6,000 koalas and releasing more than 2,000 back into the wild.”

Kelly also mentioned their collaboration within the Northern Rivers Koala Network and the formation of the NSW Koala Hospital Alliance with Port Stephens Koala Hospital and Koala Conservation Australia Ltd to support each other’s work and advocate for change across the sector.

“We are frustrated that our efforts and those of the whole sector are not acknowledged in this budget. The wildlife sector across the state provides the government and the people of NSW with an army of passionate individuals working to save and protect our wildlife for future generations. It’s time this is recognized, applauded, and funded properly,” Kelly said.

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Terania Street Reopening to Light Vehicles Only

After a closure lasting over four months, Terania Street in Lismore is set to reopen to light vehicles starting from late Friday 21 June, pending favourable weather conditions. This reopening follows the implementation of traffic calming measures aimed at preventing further damage to the rail-over-road bridge caused by oversized vehicles.

• Traffic Calming Measures:
  • New measures include speed humps, a reduced speed limit of 25 km/h, restricted lane width, traffic islands, and surveillance cameras. These are designed specifically to slow down light vehicles and restrict heavy vehicles (over 4.5 tonnes) from using Terania Street near the rail bridge.
• Purpose of Measures:
  • The installation aims to prevent future damage to the bridge, which necessitated its closure between Tweed and Peate streets since February 7.
• Community Impact and Appreciation:
  • Transport for NSW, through Director Region North Anna Zycki, expressed gratitude to residents and businesses for their patience during the closure period. They continue to work towards a permanent solution for the bridge’s sustainability.
• Heavy Vehicle Detour:
  • Heavy vehicles are advised to use a detour via Wilson Street, Elliott Road, and Ballina Road until further notice. Residents needing access to or from Peate Street should detour via Pine, Crane, and Tweed streets.
• Heritage Council Approval:
  • Transport for NSW has received approval from the NSW Heritage Council to remove the Terania Street rail-over-road bridge. They are currently addressing the consent conditions and will inform the community about the commencement of this work.
• Compliance and Safety:
  • New signage, including ‘No right turn’ signs at Peate Street, has been installed to guide vehicles and ensure compliance with the new traffic conditions.

For ongoing updates and details, residents and road users are encouraged to stay informed through Transport for NSW communications channels.

This reopening marks a significant step in restoring normal traffic flow while safeguarding the historic bridge structure from further damage caused by inappropriate vehicle use.

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