Subject: Urgent Repairs Needed for Possum Creek and Friday Hut Roads, Pending Closure of the Railway Bridge at Lismore Road End

We, the undersigned residents and concerned citizens of Byron Shire, call on the Byron Shire Council to take immediate action to repair Possum Creek Road and the 5km-long section of Friday Hut Road between the Railway Bridge and Possum Creek Rd (“the relevant stretch of FHR”), which are critically deteriorating. The planned upcoming closure of the Railway Bridge at the Lismore Rd end of Friday Hut Road will see extra traffic being forced to use these already compromised roads, amplifying the existing safety hazards to drivers and pedestrians. We are calling on the Council for prompt intervention to protect our community, visitors, and wildlife.

Current State of the Roads

• CRITICAL DISREPAIR: Possum Creek and the relevant stretch of Friday Hut roads both suffer from expanding potholes and jagged, eroded shoulders. Only short stretches allow two vehicles to pass safely. In the majority of cases, to allow safe passage, one or both vehicles must veer onto the shoulder, which is often a hazardous drop-off of eroded asphalt.
• VEHICLE DAMAGE: Moving onto these shoulders results in vehicle damage including shredded tires, dented wheels, and damaged suspension, axles, and steering columns. The constant need for mechanical repairs places a financial burden on residents.
• MULTI-USE RISKS: These roads are also frequented by walkers, runners, cyclists, and wildlife, all of whom face heightened danger due to poor surfacing and inadequate visibility. Even on well-maintained roads, these users would pose a challenge; on the current degraded surfaces, the risks pose a threat to life.

Impact of the Bridge Closure

• TRAFFIC REDIRECTION: While the State proposal for the closure of the Railway Bridge cites Dudgeons Lane as the detour, Dudgeons Lane is impassable due to overgrowth across the laneway, and dumping of rubbish. Therefore, the Bridge closure on Friday Hut Road will funnel additional traffic into Possum Creek, and the relevant section of Friday Hut, roads, both of which are currently ill-equipped to handle increased volume in their dangerous state.
• HEIGHTENED DANGER: This redirection will elevate the risk of accidents, vehicle damage, and near-miss incidents. The school buses, trucks, and inexperienced drivers, including tourists unfamiliar with the area, will further strain these routes, compounding the hazards.
• FLOOD RISK: During heavy rain, the causeway floods in the relevant section of Friday Hut Rd which will cut off and isolate all residents along the 5km stretch of Friday Hut, as well as Pine Mountain Rd and Gittoes Lane.

Our Requests

We urge the Byron Shire Council to:

1. CONDUCT A COMMUNITY CONSULTATION: Hold an on-site meeting with residents to assess the problems firsthand, agree on the severity of the issues, and prioritise actionable solutions.
2. PRIORITISE REPAIRS: Expedite essential repairs and improvements to these busy shire roads *before the bridge closure takes effect*, to mitigate the impact of increased traffic, and prevent damage to private property and loss of life.

Conclusion

The dilapidated condition of Possum Creek and Friday Hut Roads, combined with the pending Bridge closure, poses an urgent threat to the safety, mobility, and well-being of our community and visitors. We ask the Council to act swiftly and decisively to address these concerns. For further discussion, please contact us via D. Lehrer at possumcreekcottage@ gmail.com