Roadworks on the on the corner of Sapphire Coast Drive, associated with the new Woolworths’ service road are taking longer than expected “due partly to the rain several weeks ago that badly affected the pavement subgrade material and has resulted in delays to the completion of the works,” council’s project development manager, Daniel Djikic, said.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Council had previously said the work would be completed by July 20 but signs now warn motorists that work will continue until the end of August.
Mr Djikic said the contractor had been “experiencing difficulties in reaching the standards and requirements needed for the subgrade of the road for its longevity, which required some rework of the sub grade material”.
He sought to assure ratepayers saying that once the contractor had completed the works it became a council asset for life but until the contractor achieved the standards required, the works will not be accepted by council.
“The contractor is working towards meeting these standards and we have been advised the final asphalt has been scheduled for August 14, pending the contractor achieving these standards. Additionally the contractor has had some delays in scheduling the asphalt works due to the sub-contractor’s limited availability,” Mr Djikic said.
“The intersection portion of the works forms part of the Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) between Club Sapphire, Merimbula Nominees and BVSC for the service road development and are part of the approved DA.
“The contract for the intersection works and the service road under the VPA is the responsibility of Merimbula Nominees and Council are not privy to this commercial arrangement,” Mr Djikic added.
“The council has separately engaged the contractor to upgrade the south bound travel lane and upgrade the pavement subgrade material in order to increase the longevity of the road during the intersection works,” he said adding that this was awarded on a lump sum fixed price contract.
As a result of the works residents and businesses in the Merimbula CBD and Fishpen areas will be without water overnight on Tuesday, August 21 to enable the construction of a new water pipe to the new supermarket development.
The water will be switched off at 11pm on the Tuesday night and is expected to be turned back on by 4am Wednesday, August 22.
Council’s water and sewer assets co-ordinator, Chris Best, said the new pipe will lead to improved flow and fire safety for the Merimbula CBD.
“The work that the local contractor and developer are doing will make Merimbula CBD safer by supplying larger volumes of water when a structure fire or bush fire threatens our community,” Mr Best said.
“The timing of the work is aimed at reducing disruption as much as possible, however if you are situated in the impacted area it is vital that you have enough water stored in containers for your needs overnight.”
Letters are being distributed and reminders and updates will be provided on council’s Facebook page and website www.begavalley.nsw.gov.au.
