ALMOST 50 jobs will be created during construction of the Penola Bypass’ northern section, with the economic benefits expected to flow into the community.
The $14.9m project is expected to start later this year after South Australian construction firm McMahon Services was awarded the project contract, which is expected to generate 47 full-time equivalent positions.
With completion scheduled for mid-2020, the project will be a continuation of the bypass’ southern section, spanning from Robe to Clay Wells roads to Riddoch Highway north of Penola.
The project also includes a T-junction at the bypass’ northern end, a staggered T-junction where the northern and southern bypass sections meet at Robe and Clay Wells roads and realignment of the Riddoch Highway T-junction with the existing southern bypass.
Among those likely to receive some economic benefit from the construction phase is Penola’s Royal Oak Hotel, with owner John Rymill yesterday welcoming the foreshadowed economic impact.
“It will bring in a need for accommodation and a need for food and drinks,” Mr Rymill said.
“Our accommodation providers will be busier than usual with supermarkets and hospitality benefiting from this,” Mr Rymill said.
The hotel owner said if the contracted workers came from outside the Limestone Coast, there was a possibility they would bring their families with them or return in the future.
“There will also be some freight from out of the region and the contractors will be able to see what happens here in the South East,” he said.
“Overall it is just a good opportunity to continue to showcase Penola to a different group.”
Penola and District Business and Tourism Association president Dru Reschke welcomed the jobs boost and its broader economic impacts.
“It is amazing that it will generate 47 jobs for the short period of time the bypass is put in place,” Mr Reschke said.
“We encourage all employment opportunities for locals in the community.”
However, the community leader said more still needed to be done to ensure tourists continue to travel through Penola once the bypass is complete.
“The businesses of Penola are very excited about getting trucks out of town as they have wanted a heavy vehicle bypass for 50 years,” he said.
“Unfortunately instead of having roundabouts at each end, we will have a full bypass which will not only take trucks but all tourists out of town.
“If we lose enough traffic to lose a cafe or restaurant, we could lose thousands more tourists.”
Member for MacKillop Nick McBride said the bypass would “significantly reduce” heavy vehicle traffic volumes through the Penola township making it safer for the community.
“This project will help reduce the conflict between heave vehicles, pedestrians and local traffic and also reduce travel time and create improved access for heavy vehicles,” Mr McBride said.
“The bypass will cater for commercial vehicles travelling on the Robe to Clay Wells Road and Riddoch Highway generated from timber plantations in the area and improve freight efficiencies supporting the Limestone Coast’s highly productive economy.”
