Delays for Inverell Shire Council Town Centre Renewal Plan

The Town Centre Renewal Plan remained controversial in the weeks leading up to the building date, with around 100 people staging an informal protest on Otho Street on Saturday. 

“There’s no construction going ahead as planned today. I’ve been advised by the staff that the RMS requires council to address a few other issues,” Inverell Shire Council mayor Paul Harmon said.

As part of the Gwydir Highway, Otho Street is considered a state road, which means the council needs permission from RMS before proceeding with construction work. 

“My understanding is the RMS has actually asked for an independent assessment and asked for some more information from council,” Cr Harmon said.

He said the requirements had been fulfilled over the weekend, and were expected to reach the RMS today.

Cr Harmon said he couldn’t confirm how long the delay was likely to take. He said it wasn’t a misstep on the council’s part, and that RMS had asked for additional information on top of what they had already received. 

“We’ve been liaising with the RMS on this issue since 2013, so it’s certainly frustrating the fact that right at the last moment, that we find ourselves in a situation where there’s more information required and that we can’t actually proceed with those plans,” he said.

More information to come.