Goonellabah residents who use the Rous Road/Oliver Avenue roundabout regularly would have noticed a build-up of council worker activity in the last few days.

The approved road work to upgrade the roundabout to improve safety will begin this Monday (13 January), causing traffic changes and delays. Prior to Christmas Lismore City Council staff replaced water pipes in the same area.

During construction, there will be temporary traffic control measures implemented that will cause delays and disruption to motorists. Jubilee Avenue will be closed to through traffic at the roundabout for the remainder of the works. A temporary detour will be in place via Phillip Street, McDermott Avenue and Oliver Avenue.

The $1.1 million investment in safety, funded by Transport for NSW under the Australian Government’s Black Spot program, is expected to be complete within eight weeks, weather permitting.

“We have seen six accidents on or near the roundabout over the last five years, and something clearly needed to be done,” Mayor Steve Krieg said.

“We are committed to ensuring the safety of our community, and this upgrade will deliver that.”

Works will initially involve the upgrade of existing drainage infrastructure and widening of the road pavement directly to the north of the current roundabout’s location.

Once initial works are complete, construction will begin on a new, larger concrete and asphalt roundabout. The new roundabout will comprise a 6m-wide travel lane and deliver improved access from both Jubilee Avenue and Caroona Marima Care Facility.

Mayor Krieg urged everyone to do their part and follow the temporary traffic control measures, including stop/go signs and reduced speed limits.

“We all have a role to play in road safety, and I want to thank the community in advance for their cooperation and patience as Council undertakes this important safety improvement.”

The busy roundabout was noted in a council Blackspot program. Six recorded accidents occurred in the area between 2018 and 2023, three (3) directly at the roundabout and three (3) east along Oliver Avenue.

A range of categories were looked at to highlight the development of blackspot areas.

Factors contributing to this design include:

• Large trees reducing sight distance and light in all three directions.
• The proximity of Jubilee Avenue to Rous Road is approximately 20 metres, which causes confusion to motorists on where a vehicle is turning.
• The intersection is over a crest which reduces stopping time if a vehicle exits from Jubilee Avenue onto Oliver Avenue.

The change will affect the Caroona driveway entrance and exit. The existing entry/exit onto the roundabout from Caroona will be reduced to an Exit Only, and a new Entry Only point will be constructed off Rous Road approximately 40m west of the roundabout. These driveway modifications will provide safer entry and egress for Caroona and for cars circulating on the roundabout.

During the construction, council has said that three (3) trees will be removed on the Northern side of Rous Road, which will be replaced in the same vicinity. These trees are not koala food trees and are outside the biodiversity zone.

Council will be going ahead with the roundabout on Reserve Street. It is part of the Rous Road design and is confirmed for development as a separate project, with the timing to be confirmed.