Carl’s Jr Dubbo: Burger chain’s opening date delayed

A dispute about whether or not a left-hand turn should be allowed into a proposed $4 million fast food and service station development remains unresolved.

Transport for NSW has expressed concerns about cars potentially crossing four lanes of traffic from Brigalow Ave in Dubbo, to get to a new Carl's Jr site. Picture: Ryan Young

Developers trying to bring a popular American burger chain to Dubbo say they’re confident a solution to ease traffic safety concerns can be found after Transport for NSW refused to approve their initial $4 million plans.

The Stevens Group wants approval to turn a vacant site on the corner of Cobra and Hawthorn Streets into a 24-hour Carl’s Jr restaurant and Mobil service station.

Because Cobra Street doubles as the Mitchell Highway, Transport for NSW needs to sign off on the project along with Dubbo Regional Council.

The vacant Dubbo block the Stevens Group wants to turn into a Carl's Jr and Mobil site. Picture: Ryan Young

As part of the development application, the Stevens Group has asked for permission to construct a new left-hand turn into the site, from Cobra Street.

Council’s development director Stephen Wallace said Transport for NSW had not agreed to the left-hand turn request because it would mean Cobra Street would have to be widened to include an extra left-turn lane into the site which would overlap with a driveway that comes out of The Good Guys centre.

Mr Wallace said Transport for NSW was also worried about “the proximity of the gap in the median north of the site, opposite Brigalow Ave, which is likely to result in unsafe movements across four lanes of traffic to access the site”.

Transport for NSW acting director Alistair Lunn.

Transport for NSW acting director Alistair Lunn said the organisation was working with council to ensure a solution could be reached that did not compromise safety,

“The current proposal would result in an increased number of right turns via Hawthorn Street,” he said.

“Other concerns include an increased likelihood of rear-end collisions and cross traffic incidents as there are four lanes of traffic at this location.”

Stevens Group development director Jason Capuano said his team were working hard to resolve concerns raised by Transport for NSW.

“Our proposed solution to those four or five key concerns, we think will be supported by council planing staff,” Mr Capuano said.

“The direct, left-in access will be no different to any existing fast food operation on Cobra Street in Dubbo at the moment. In fact the Hungry Jacks that was recently approved and built has a left-in and left-out directly on Cobra Street and all movement access from the adjoining side street.

“We’re proposing a much different, lesser direct access outcome here and believe it should be supported.

“There’d be no other existing fast food development or service station development in Dubbo that’s been imposed with the type of access restrictions that we’re currently experiencing with Transport for NSW at the moment.”

The Stevens Group development director Jason Capuano. Picture: Stevens Group

Concerns about a left-hand turning lane creating overlap with traffic exiting The Good Guys centre did not stack up, Mr Capuano suggested.

“It’s a left handing loading dock exit from The Good Guys development so it’s not a passenger vehicle movement that has high volume,” he said.

“The conditions in that area are dead straight, two or three lanes, 60km/h, no on-street parking so it’s a very safe environment for all types of traffic movement and it’s an environment where cars are approaching a set of traffic lights to either stop at a red light or turn at the signals.”

According to a traffic study prepared by Seca Solution traffic engineers for the Stevens Group, 90 per cent of Mobil or Carl’s Jr customers are expected to enter the site off Cobra Street.

“The majority of the traffic for the fast food outlet would be passing trade and considered to be more attractive for westbound traffic rather than eastbound traffic,” the study’s author Sean Morgan said.

“It is considered that drivers would not look to turn right or U-turn at Brigalow Ave to access the site via the access on Cobra Street. There is no sheltered turn lane at this location with a raised central median stopping drivers from turning across the opposite travelling lane … a ‘no right turn’ sign can be installed on the central median to discourage drivers from attempting this movement.”

“It is also noted there is a roundabout approximately 350 metres further up the road where a driver can complete a U-turn if they wish to access the site.”

Carl's Jr is expected to create more than 60 jobs in Dubbo. Picture: Erin Smith

Mr Capuano said he met with Transport for NSW representatives in Parkes last week to discuss solutions to the access conundrum.

“To achieve a June 30 open date we would have had to have a DA approved by mid-October and we’re probably two or four weeks away from achieving that.

“We’re still committed to the project, this delay is adding time and costs but at this stage we’d still to see it happen.

“We’re excited to bring Carl’s Jr to Dubbo and the benefit of the millions of dollars of capital investment and hundreds of jobs.”

The arrival of Mobil and Carl’s Jr has been expected to create at least 75 new jobs and more during construction.