The community has debated the success of the upgrades recently completed on Diamond Beach Road at Hallidays Point.
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The $2.6 million project – between Black Head Road and Diamond Beach Drive – was completed in time for the peak holiday period.
Kay Seymour commented that the improvements that were made for the price of $2.6 million was a rip off.
“I feel I can speak with some authority as I was the owner of an earth moving company for 35 years,” she said.
“For that sort of money we should have gotten two lanes each way, not this sub-standard road.”
Mallory Clarke said she would be interested to know how the project had increased safety for cyclists.
“And now there is no room for pedestrians at all,” she added.
“The road has definitely improved in some sections but not sure what life span we will get from it with sections already having damage.”
Susan Tychon asked if railings were being installed for the steep edges of the road.
“The drops could cause serious damage to anyone walking, or to a cyclist,” she said.
Peita Compton said the road has been lifting in places since before the repairs were finalised.
“Who are they kidding?” she asked.
“Sack those workers and get ones that know how to lay roads properly.”
Mat Kidd defended the work done by labourers, saying sometimes their hands are tied to what an engineer and planer provides.
“Workers don’t set a budget, they don’t set the scope of works for how it’s to be done, they carry out the task and get paid upon inspection and completion,” he said.
“A lot of times if it was left to the contractor there would be a quality job as their pride and reputation is in their work.
“As always, the labourer gets blamed, not the six figure salary earners who make the decisions, you don’t see them out there of course.
“In my line of work sometimes we are forced to do a job we know has issues, we offer advice and are told ‘no, that’s the way it needs to be done’, then are asked to fix it when it fails.
“It sucks to be blamed for something if you have no control over it but we have bills to pay.
“You’re hardly going to point the finger at the client paying you if it needs a redo but the client says ‘patch it or I’ll get someone who will’, what does a contractor do?”
Deborah Tony responded to Mat, thanking him for his explanation.
“Although I don’t agree with the reasons given as excuses I thank you for you honesty and explanation of the process which is, I believe, how it happens in real life,” she said.
“Like any project required to be carried out by a ‘public institution’ like federal, state or local government, companies see $ signs at the expense of quality.
“Not many roads are maintained within the Great Lakes area where repairs need to be undertaken all at the inconvenience and detriment of the local community. These so called experts need to be held accountable for their decisions.”
“I’m a site manager working in construction for an electrical company on medium to large scale projects in Sydney,” responded Mat Kidd.
“It’s just a common obstacle that everyone in a labour industry faces. Not really justified to blame the workers is all the excuse.
“The decisions are mostly made higher up.”
He also agreed with the comment that council and government should be accountable, but said that’s where the finger pointing starts and it’s always a scapegoat that wears the brunt of it.
Rod Shuttleworth addressed Mat Kidd in response to his comments.
“They are only given the dept of works specifications on a complete rebuild like was done there, so the road base would be tested to make sure it meets specifications and given compaction rates and moisture content, the rest is up in to the contractor,” he said.
“Big difference installing electrics in a building to road construction, it’s like comparing apples to oranges”
Mat Kidd responded, saying he disagreed.
“No not really, the methods are the same and when your company works on construction of the Lane Cove Tunnel or the M2 the civil side is there,” he commented.
Sandii Chan was disappointed with the result of the roadworks.
“This is no model of great roadworks,” she commented.
“At best I’d agree it’s better than before, but hardly anything to hold up as something to be proud of.
“Still very dangerous for cyclists, impossible for anyone wanting to walk along the side let alone push a pram.
“There simply isn’t any innovative lifestyle planning happening in our shire - the car still rules! A cycle or walking lane should have been standard! It looks like a very budget version to me.”
Gavin Maberly-Smith agreed with this comment.
“If only there was some development in the area that would build open space cycle ways and pay contribution to council for facilities including cycle-ways,” he said.
Tom Robinson said that the work still looks unfinished.
“Would be nice to be able to walk a pram or run/ride from Diamond to Black Head safely,” he said.
Anne Mayne suggested repairs were needed on Black Head Road.
“[It] is a disgrace with ragged edges, too narrow in places and numerous potholes,” she said.
“The amount of money is ludicrous for a small stretch of road.”