Ballina Shire Council has started planning works to duplicate a section of Tamarind Drive and North Creek Road. The concept design plans are now on exhibition and Council is inviting the community to provide their feedback.
“This project is important to support our growing community and address road congestion in the area. We are now in the planning stage and are asking the community to have their say on the concept plans,” explained Mr Brett Dyki, Ballina Shire Council’s Manager – Project Management Office.
“Tamarind Drive carries a large volume of traffic in and out of Ballina and is currently at capacity during peak hours. Our traffic modelling predicts this proposed dual lane configuration will cater for current and future traffic volumes beyond 2036,” added Mr Dyki.
The project will include dual lanes on Tamarind Drive, between Kerr Street and 400 metres west of the Tamarind Dr/North Creek Rd roundabout. The plans also include dual lanes for North Creek Road, between Tamarind Drive and Southern Cross Drive.
Further project features:
- Construction of a second bridge over North Creek Canal, which will include an off-road shared path
- A new footpath on the southern side of the existing Canal Bridge and along the southern side of Tamarind Dr
- Stormwater improvements to replace the open drain with underground drainage (on the southern side of Tamarind Drive). This will futureproof the alignment, reduce the loss of vegetation and improve amenity.
- Additional street trees
- Improve pedestrian connectivity and complete the missing links to deliver a footpath along the southern side of Tamarind Dr, and a shared path along the northern side of Tamarind Dr.
Council anticipates the project will cost approximately $30 million (including $8 million for construction of the second bridge). At this stage the project is not fully funded, however Council is actively exploring relevant grant and funding opportunities. Following this consultation period, Council will continue with the planning assessment process, including a Review of Environmental Factors.
Submissions close 9 November 2022.
To view and provide feedback on the concept design plans visit yoursayballina.com.au/tamarind-drive.
