In the lead up to the 2019 state election, the NSW Berejiklian Government committed $6 million to upgrade Ballina Road (Bruxner Highway) at Dawson Street in Lismore.
Echo NetDaily, 19 February 2019, excerpt from article:
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| L to R: RMS regional manager John Alexander, Nationals Lismore candidate Austin Curtin, roads minister Melinda Pavey and Nationals Lismore MP Thomas George at the roundabout. |
Ms Pavey then moved on to Lismore where, together with retiring member Thomas George and Nationals candidate Austin Curtin she announced $6 million for the Dawson Street, Bruxner Highway intersection, replacing the existing roundabout with traffic lights.
Mrs Pavey said a concept plan for the new traffic signals had already been completed, which meant design work on the new traffic lights would start immediately.
‘Traffic lights will be coordinated with other signal sites in Lismore, providing the greatest level of efficiency and safety for all road users,’ Mrs Pavey said.
She added that, if returned, the government would start work on concept designs for the intersection immediately and community consultation would occur in the second half of 2019…..
Now, having lost the seat of Lismore to Labor at that 2019 state election, the Berejiklian Government appears to be walking away from its specific election promise:
Based on these investigations and the level of funding currently available, installing traffic signals at Molesworth Street intersection is considered the best short term solution to ease congestion and improve local access, connectivity and safety for pedestrians and cyclists. [my yellow highlighting]
This "solution" reduces parking availability for residents in the area, along with the removal of some mature trees within the road reserve. It does add traffic lights and new footpaths at this Molesworth Street intersection.
However, it is unclear just how enthusiastic the Lismore community is about this site change.
From the Office of NSW Labor MLA for Lismore Janelle Saffin, media release, 9 July 2021:
Government changes tack on congestion-busting pledge
STATE MP Janelle Saffin is urging locals to give feedback to the NSW Government on significant changes it is making to its February 2019 election pledge to fix traffic congestion and improve safety on the Bruxner Highway in downtown Lismore.
Ms Saffin, who has been pressing the Government to release its plans for public comment, said people remember the election commitment to spend $6 million on traffic lights and improvements to the Bruxner Highway-Dawson Street intersection.
“Transport for NSW and Lismore City Council have carried out investigations and traffic modelling, and now the Transport recommendation is that this upgrade should occur at the Bruxner Highway-Molesworth Street intersection,” Ms Saffin said.
“I have been in a continued conversation with NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole’s office and Transport for NSW on this issue, and while it’s good that there is finally some movement, we, as a community of stakeholders, still need to be persuaded.
“All those residents living on the southern side of the highway, in the Girards Hill area, were very keen on the Dawson Street project, so they have to be convinced that Molesworth Street will provide the best long-term solution.”
Ms Saffin said she had lodged Questions on Notices to hold the Government to account on delivering its election commitment, and to highlight the congestion of this ‘gateway’ roundabout which copes with 25,000 motorists every day.
Minister Toole’s latest response from March 25 this year read: “Transport for NSW is developing a number of traffic, walking and cycling improvements within Lismore to improve safety and traffic efficiency, and walkability on the Bruxner Highway within the town centre.
“Transport for NSW will invite the community to comment on the proposed improvements shortly. The improvements include new traffic signals in the town centre, which are currently underway and due to be completed by the end of 2021,” Mr Toole answered.
Further information about the proposal, including a design layout, go to
https://nswroads.work/molesworthstreet
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