Development Update - September 2009
We have experienced difficulties with approvals and other matters which have caused delays, however, we are now full steam ahead to complete all physical work for Stages 1 and 2 comprising 104 lots by February next year.
On 21 September 2009, the Ballina Shire Council commenced the construction of the roundabout which will be built in two sections. The first stage will be the northern side (adjacent Aldi) which will be finished in mid November. Traffic will then be diverted to this side and work will continue on the southern side (adjacent to Ferngrove Ballina). All of this work will have to be integrated with the construction of the entrance to Ferngrove Ballina Estate and the other internal roads and services to our development, with construction vehicles negotiating their way through to the site. The roundabout will be paid for by the developers.
The civils work contract has been let to SEE Civils which is a company associated with Turners Civil Works Pty Ltd that carried out the bulk earthworks.
The Ballina bypass is well advanced and the first section, between Cumbalum and Ross Lane, is on track to be completed by the end of next year. The section of road from Cumbalum to Bruxner Highway is to be finished by mid 2012. Research has shown that each time a town has been bypassed with a new road, the town has flourished. It is hard to imagine that the Highway to Sydney once went through Bangalow for instance.
Certainly it will be a blessing not to have heavy trucks rolling through Ballina.
The construction of a concrete wall to act as an acoustic barrier will commence in a few weeks time. This wall will have dense planting on the highway side, which will have the effect of softening the mass.
Interest in Ferngrove Ballina has been exceptional and it is our intention to give priority to the construction of Stage 1 comprising 46 lots. Stage 2 with 58 lots will follow on immediately. The price list for Stage 2 will not be published for a few weeks yet. However, when this is released, the prices will have increased over the Stage 1 prices.