General News
30 June, 2021
Main street saga continues
BUSINESSES in Mareeba were in uproar last Wednesday as the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) started construction on the Post Office Centre crossing during peak business hours.
BUSINESSES in Mareeba were in uproar last Wednesday as the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) started construction on the Post Office Centre crossing during peak business hours.
TMR has been in the spotlight in recent weeks with the number of ongoing works in the main street of Mareeba causing mass confusion due to lack of consultation.
Now, as they begin working on the post office centre crossing they have again been caught out, beginning works during the day despite informing businesses owners the works will be carried out between 6am and 6pm.
Businesses surrounding the crossing were informed that the works were beginning just a day before they commenced and were not told that any works would be done during the day.
“We received a letter the afternoon before (Tuesday) saying that there would be roadworks starting that night,” Owner of Signature Pies Brad Thomas said.
“No roadworks were here when I started work at around 1.30am (Wednesday) and then at about 8am they started blocking off the traffic and asking us to move our vehicles.
“I went and approached the foreman and I was told quite abruptly to get off the worksite.”
After a heated exchange of words between the Mr Thomas and the foreman, Mr Thomas decided to instead approach Bob Katter, Mareeba Mayor Angela Toppin and Cynthia Lui, with all but one responding.
The Express Newspaper has seen a letter that was addressed to one of the businesses impacted with it stating “the works will be carried out at night and crews will be onsite from 6pm to 6am.”
After raising the question as to why works were being conducted during the day TMR said, “The majority of the works will be carried out at night with some works required during the day.”
“Roadwork projects are always subject to change, when we delivered the letters, the works were scheduled as night works.
“A small part of the works now need to be carried out during the day, the majority of the works will be carried out at night.”
