Leisure Drive, Greenway Drive and Darlington Drive intersection upgrade

Stage 2 of the Banora Point intersection upgrade (site 3 in the map below) restarts on Tuesday 27 May 2025 and is expected to take about 8 weeks, weather permitting.

Our goal is to enhance the safety and connectivity of our local road network. This project was identified in the Tweed Road Development Strategy to meet our area's long-term growth needs.

This project will be delivered in stages:

• Stage 1, located at sites 1, 2 and 5 along Greenway Drive, has been completed. See Stage 1 below for the scope of work.
• Stage 2, along Leisure Drive, includes installing a signalised pedestrian crossing and widening lanes to make travel through this area safer and easier for everyone. See Stage 2 below for the scope of work and traffic impacts.
• Future Stage 3, site 4, east of Advocate Place, has been deferred. See Future Stage 3 below for more information.

Stage 2 (Site 3)

Stage 2 of the Banora Point intersection upgrade (site 3 in the map below) restarts Tuesday 27 May 2025 and is expected to take about 8 weeks, weather permitting. In addition to the intersection upgrade, asphalt works have been scheduled to take place along a 400-metre section of Leisure Drive, starting at the Darlington Drive intersection near the Banora Point Shopping Village.

Road, drainage, kerb, verge, footpath and bus stop and light pole relocation works have been completed. Sealing works were finished in late February 2025.

Since completing the sealing works, the project has been temporarily on hold while we await approval from Transport for NSW to proceed with the construction of pedestrian traffic signals. During this period, traffic continues to flow freely with minimal disruption to traffic.

Most of the work will be carried out during the day on weekdays. However, during fine weather, crews will work extra hours to expedite the construction process and avoid high traffic volumes during the day. This means work may be undertaken outside of work hours, including some nights and weekends.

• Dayworks: 7 am to 5 pm
• Nightworks: 5 pm to 7 am
• Weekend works: Night and day works may be conducted over some weekends.

Follow the electronic signage on site for details of any night or weekend works.

Work zones map

Intersection upgrade (Site 3)

Location:
Leisure Drive, between Darlington Drive and Advocate Place, Banora Point

The remaining works will include trenching, pedestrian traffic signals installation, adjustments to pram ramps, verge concrete works, pedestrian fencing installation, final asphalt works and linemarking. Below is an update on what to expect as work resumes over the coming weeks.

Work hours:
Most of the work will be carried out during the day on weekdays. However, during fine weather, crews will work extra hours to expedite the construction process and avoid high traffic volumes during the day. This means work may be undertaken outside of work hours, including some nights and weekends.

• Dayworks: 7 am to 5 pm
• Nightworks: 5 pm to 7 am
• Weekend works: Night and day works may be conducted over some weekends.

Alternative routes:
Use alternative routes where possible or allow additional time for your journey.

What to expect during construction:

• During the first week there will be minimal traffic disruptions. Two-way traffic will be maintained with traffic controllers on site during work hours to ensure smooth traffic flow.
• On Sunday 1 June, preparations to remove the steel barriers will take place during the day, ahead of asphalt and linemarking nightworksscheduled from Sunday 1 June to Wednesday 4 June.
  • During the nightworks, eastbound traffic along Leisure Drive will be diverted via Darlington Drive, which may add up to 5 minutes to travel time.
  • Residents will still have access to their properties.
  • During the day, normal 2-way traffic will resume, as per current conditions.
  • Weather permitting, this work is expected to take about 3 nights to complete.
  • Use alternative routes where possible or allow additional time for your journey.
• The eastbound bus stop located west of Advocate Place will be temporarily relocated about 80 metres to the east for about 2 weeks from Tuesday 27 May.
• At the beginning of the project, the westbound bus stop located west of Advocate Place was temporarily relocated about 100 metres to the east, just past Advocate Place. This arrangement will continue for the duration of the works.
• Temporary lane closures during work hours, which may cause delays of up to 10 minutes.
• We've made plans for emergency vehicles to pass through the site.
• Please do not use on-street parking while construction is underway.
• Limited access to some properties and driveways within the work zone during work hours. Please ask the traffic controller for help if you need access.
• Changed traffic conditions with traffic controllers guiding traffic flow during work hours.
• Pedestrian movement may be directed or restricted.
• Large earthmoving machinery.
• Some construction noise and dust.
• Minor ground vibrations.

Stay updated by following electronic roadwork signs and check for updates on our website at tweed.nsw.gov.au/roadworks.

Tree management and preservation:
As part of the road widening, drainage improvements and new footpath installation, some trees within the work zone will need to be removed, while others will be saved where possible. In some cases, root systems may be impacted, making preservation unfeasible. Trees that cannot be saved will be replaced with new plantings to maintain the area’s greenery. Additionally, tree trimming will be conducted east of Advocate Place.

All species selected are native to the region. The Cottonwood trees have been selected as a native alternative to the Poincianas to be removed. They are a short tree with a spreading canopy, they have large heart-shaped leaves creating shade and large showy, yellow hibiscus flowers. Native harlequin bugs are attracted to this species and the trees provide habitat for native birds for perching/nesting.

The groundcover species selected are all hardy, drought tolerant and can thrive in full sun until part-shade is established and will create a colourful garden base to the Cottonwood trees. They provide refuge to lizards and insects and also provide foraging resources to birds. The species selected have either blue, pink, purple, white or yellow flowers.

What to expect after construction:
After the construction is complete, you can look forward to several improvements in the area:

• Enhanced pedestrian safety: A new pedestrian crossing with traffic signals will be installed 65 metres east of the roundabout to enhance safety for everyone crossing the road. The current crossing near the roundabout will be closed once the new signalised crossing is up and running.
• Upgraded footpaths: Footpaths will be upgraded to provide a smoother and safer walking experience for pedestrians.
• Improved drainage: The drainage system will be upgraded to suit the new, wider road, helping to prevent water pooling and improve road safety during wet weather.
• Wider lanes: Lane widths will be increased to improve traffic flow and enhance safety for all road users.
• Tree trimming and replacement: Some trees will be trimmed or replaced to accommodate the changes, ensuring the area remains green and welcoming.

These enhancements are designed to make traveling through this area easier and safer for everyone, whether you're driving, walking or cycling.

More information:

• For traffic impact updates, visit our website at tweed.nsw.gov.au/roadworks.
• If you have any questions about this project, please leave us a message.
• To learn more about how we build, upgrade and maintain a safe and connected local road network, including how we prioritise road maintenance projects, visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/roads.

Work zone map: Stage 2, Site 3 - Leisure Drive, Darlington Drive and Greenway Drive intersection upgrade

Leisure Drive asphalt works (Site 6)

Location:
400-metre section of Leisure Drive, starting from the Darlington Drive intersection near the Banora Point Shopping Village

Work hours:
These works will be carried out at night (5 pm to 7 am) and are expected to take about 10 nights to complete, weather permitting.

Schedule of works:
Although this work is not part of the intersection upgrade, it has been scheduled to occur simultaneously. By completing the asphalt works on site 3 before moving on to site 6 (expected to start around 4 or 5 June, depending on the completion of site 3), we can minimise disruptions to traffic flow and the community. This approach ensures both sites are completed efficiently, avoiding multiple disruptions. Additionally, carrying out the works sequentially allows for better coordination of resources, including equipment and crews, reducing idle time and streamlining the process, ultimately helping to complete the works more quickly.

Alternative routes:
Use alternative routes where possible or allow additional time for your journey.

What to expect during construction:

• Construction will include profiling (controlled removal) of the surface and existing pavement and linemarking will be
  completed at night towards the end of the project.
• Temporary lane closures during work hours, which may cause delays of up to 10 minutes. Use alternative routes
  where possible or allow additional time for your journey.
• We've made plans for emergency vehicles to pass through the site.
• Please do not use on-street parking during work hours.
• Limited access to some properties and driveways within the work zone during work hours. Please ask the traffic controller for help if you need access.
• Changed traffic conditions with traffic controllers guiding traffic flow during work hours.
• Pedestrian movement may be directed or restricted.
• Large earthmoving machinery.
• Some construction noise and dust.
• Minor ground vibrations.

Stage 1 (Sites 2, 1 and 5)

Project status – completed

We would like to say thanks to the community for their patience and collaboration as a significant project milestone is reached with the completion of Stage 1, which included:

• relocation of services such as gas, telecommunications and water
• temporary removal of footpaths and then reinstating them towards the end of Stage 1
• realignment of kerbs and gutters
• underground drainage modifications
• road widening, including applying bitumen seal and asphalt wearing course
• reinstatement of footpaths and laying turf
• linemarking.

Future Stage 3 (Site 4)

Works planned at Site 4 are part of the final stage of the upgrade to the Leisure Drive, Greenway Drive and Darlington Drive intersection, as well as the completion of the 4 lane upgrade of Leisure Drive between Winders Place and Greenway Drive.

Works on Site 4 have been deferred to a date to be determined. This decision was made to ensure the Stage 2 works could be completed in the nominated school holiday period to reduce disruption to the community. It also anticipates the potential redevelopment of the Club Banora site and the possibility of a new signalised intersection on Leisure Drive with the Club Banora driveway. Council intends to keep the current pedestrian refuge on the remaining 2 lane section of Leisure Drive, east of Advocate Place, in place for now to maintain safety while avoiding unnecessary work if the Club Banora redevelopment proceeds.