Carpark wait continues

Easter date for 100 new Caravonica bays

CONSTRUCTION on a project to improve traffic flow at Caravonica State School by installing a new 100-bay carpark should be finished by Easter.

The $4.3 million project jointly funded by the state government, Cairns Regional Council and the Botanica Property Group began in July 2016 and had an early 2017 finish date, but wet weather and delays sourcing parts have meant it has been continually pushed back.

Most stakeholders are remaining chipper about the setbacks but mum to four Caravonica State School students Nicole Edwards was worried about traffic problems at the site on the first day back at school this morning.

“I think parents should have been more informed I think,” she said. “I think it’ll be quite hectic today and for the next few months.”

But Barron River MP Craig Crawford said although the project finish date was still slated for March or April, as per reports two months ago, there had been no reduction in safety or car parking.

“Now it’s all about having the timing right, and maintaining the least amount of disturbance for the school,” he said.

“Most of the heavy construction has been done, the poles for the new lights are in, now the process is just about getting the intersection up and running. Once the new carpark is up and running, the old carpark will be removed.”

Botanica Property Group director Robert Wallace said he hoped the project would be completed “a bit earlier”.

“They’re really finishing off most things now. We are getting into the landscaping now and that’s the next thing people will notice,” he said. “The traffic lights should go in February and we will have to wait for Ergon to turn them on.”

Mr Wallace said progress on the 1000-residence Botanica development would start this year, too.

Caravonica State School principal Michelle Davis said the school could no longer accept new students so a growing school population would not add to current traffic issues.