Paving around the Merimbula bypass will continue to use the red and cream pavers that have been installed in other parts of the CBD in recent years.
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The decision follows a late item for the council meeting on Wednesday, August 16 after the landscape working group had reached an impasse on their deliberations.
Four alternatives were being discussed, clay pavers, decorative concrete, granite pavers and decorative concrete with granite pavers. A push for the use of granite pavers with decorative concrete had prompted a review of the budget and time schedules by project engineer David Buckley.
Granite is not only more expensive than many other solutions but lead times of six to eight weeks, in getting the product from China, would place unacceptable delays on the overall bypass project, something Mr Buckley was adamant should not happen if possible.
Although decorative concrete was the only option to clearly come in on schedule and budget, councillors were not happy with the prospect.
Councillor Mitchell Nadin, the chief exponent of granite pavers and decorative concrete, pointed to Littleton Gardens, Bega and said it was stained and there had been problems with it from the moment it went down.
“I would point to Action on Imlay (the Eden main street makeover). When it started it looked good but now it looks tacky. That’s the decorative option - it stains,” Cr Nadin said.
Councillors were told that the bypass was expected to open at the end of September but if the pavements were not finished pedestrian crossing supervisors would be required at several points at a total cost of about $2500 a day.
It was sufficient to put councillor Jo Dodds off granite.
“I’m pitching for clay pavers which I think will give the area a continuous feel. My fear is in the (time) schedule and the risk of $2500 a day,” Cr Dodds said.
The discussion prompted Cr Nadin to withdraw his motion in favour of one for clay pavers which was agreed unanimously.
The landscaping budget of the $2.6 million bypass project is $150,000.