BY DI SNEDDON
Singleton’s streetscape project is on track for completion in June next year but it hasn’t been without some logistical challenges.
Challenges, according to the project manager, Robson Civil Projects Brent Matthews says have been addressed with the community front of mind.
“The driver for this project is about our reputation, community perception and the quality of final product, Robson want to be able to hold their head high at the completion of these works,” Mr Matthews told The Hunter River Times.
Aspects such as traffic and timing work around the school bus time-table.
“When the buses stop at 9:45am we go hell for leather until we get kicked off the road for the afternoon buses,” he said.
He added that the project management aims to give relief to regular road users, with days having a heavy impact on traffic intermitted with days when the project doesn’t.
But sometimes the interruptions can’t be helped and pouring of the kerb and guttering is one such case.
The kerb works are currently underway and there inevitability will be traffic interruptions but the company says it will minimise these disruptions as much as possible.
“Ideally we would have the truck on the footpath to poor the cement but with the overhanging awnings we have no choice but to park the truck up on the road and when you start pouring you have to finish.”
The kerb and gutter works currently underway will be timed around low traffic periods as much as possible and will continue, weather pending until the end of January.
Laying of pavers is the next on the list and workers are about to dig tree pits for the 27 tuckeroo and crepe myrtles to be planted early next year.
Mr Matthews said communication with residents has been key and he has hoped the open conversation has alleviated stress on businesses in the area. He is only too keen to discuss any concerns and encourages anyone wanting to discuss the project to contact the temporary office located on the corner of Elizabeth and John Street.
Jaz is on the tools
When covid hit, Jaz Robertson was out of a job and she didn’t think twice about accepting an offer to pick up a shovel and help out on the Singleton streetscape project and she is loving it.
The nineteen-year-old is studying a business marketing diploma and hopes to get into training. She says on-the-job training she is receiving now has given her real hands-on experience that will set her up for future success.
She was happy for the job and the wage it brought in but she never expected to enjoy the work as much as she is.
“I really, really like it, I’m outdoors, I like talking to people and most people in Singleton are really lovely and say hello and smile, I am loving that,” Jaz said.
She is the only female on site but it doesn’t give her any special treatment. She’s on the shovel, digs in with the pavers and operates the wacker packer when told.
“I’ll have a go at anything, I won’t go and try and pick up 100kgs or anything like that but I do what I can and it’s most things,” Jaz said.
She said the job has opened her eyes up to so many components of working on such a project and she intends to take the lessons learned with where ever her future might take her.
