Campaign to stop Mossman traffic lights continues



Campaign to stop Mossman traffic lights continues

Tuesday April 1 2014

The construction company hired to complete the redevelopment of a Mossman supermarket says traffic lights should be installed within two weeks.

But the Douglas Shire Council have requested Main Roads show the traffic study that led to the lights approval. 

Mayor Julia Leu said she would continue to lobby against the lights being mounted on Front Street in Mossman opposite the new $15.4 million supermarket.

"Council wants to have clear evidence and proof that the traffic lights are required," she said. 

"To date, we have not yet had a reply to our request."

In a statement, Main Roads said traffic controllers would be in place until the traffic signals become operational.

"In the interest of safety, road users should drive to conditions through the worksite and always obey directions given to them by traffic controllers," the statement said.

It is unclear whether Main Roads intends to pass on the traffic study to the Douglas Shire Council. 

Grand opening

Woolworths officially opened its doors on Tuesday evening, marking the 3,600 square-metre project's completion. 

The store, located next door to the old Woolworths, is more than twice the size of its predecessor. 

Prime Group has overseen the construction of the project with more than 200 workers involved since March last year.   

The company's Director, Andy Taylor said the building had 'come up beautifully'.  

"For what is a big building it actually blends in quite nicely to its surrounds," Mr Taylor said. 

"That's as good as you'll get in Australia, that building.

"So it's really quite a positive result."

Mr Taylor estimated that a month's work was lost due to bad weather during the wet season but that employees had made up for lost time.  

"The guys were fantastic and they're used to working when it's damp anyway. They did a great job," he said.

In a media release Woolworths said the store was 'one of the most modern supermarkets concepts' in Australia.

127 people will be employed at the store, with more than 30 new jobs created from the redevelopment.

Mossman Store Manager, Shane Wight, said the store would place an emphasis on regional produce wherver possible.

"Our aim is to connect customers directly with our local fresh producers," Mr Wight said.

The store will be open from 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 5:30pm on Saturdays and 9am to 6pm on Sundays.