Rapids Landing access blow

The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River has conceded it has no way to force the developer of Rapids Landing to build a much-needed second access road. Subdivision residents and parents making the twice-daily commute remained frustrated at long traffic snarls for cars and buses after the Times last month reported Lester Group frontman Stuart Lester did not have the money to build connections to John Archibald Drive or Brookfield, which were conditions of subdivision approval. Mr Lester said the keenly awaited commercial centre off Tingle Avenue needed confirmed tenants before underground services could be built, with the road construction not due until next summer at the earliest. Shire sustainable development and infrastructure director Nick Logan said the Shire would continue to push for the road as a priority. Shire president Ian Earl also said hands were tied on the matter. “This is certainly a developer issue to be resolved,” he said. “There isn’t anything the Shire can do to make this happen earlier.” “I would hope that the road will be built and operating in the first half of next year,” Cr Earl said. “The services run in the road reserve and are required to be correct, otherwise they will end up pulling it all up again at considerable cost.” The developer confirmed no tenants for the commercial section were yet signed up. Brookfield resident John Lawson, who lives next to the future northern access, said boulders blocking the path should be removed for now. “Every school morning we see the parade of young Brookfield kids, some with tiny bikes and some with their parents, clambering over the rock barricade that now blocks traffic from crossing the boundary at our end of Leschenaultia Avenue,” he said Rapids Landing resident Simon Churchill said he and others were frustrated the developer offered no short-term solution. “The roads should’ve already been finished as the houses that need them have been built,” he said. “They show up in Google Maps as built and useable.” Rapids Landing Primary School Parents and Citizens did not respond to inquiries. Primary school principal Lisa Helenius said road access to relieve congestion was still a hope. “To have access to John Archibald Drive and a connection with Brookfield would certainly enable our students and families to enter and exit our school in a safe and orderly manner,” she said. “Such road construction would also complete road access around our school and increase parking embayments, further reducing the current traffic congestion we see.”