Bypass work buoys local economy | Northern Rivers News | Local News in Northern Rivers

ENJOYING BALLINA: Senior project engineer of the northern bridges Chris Coe overseeing construction at the Ballina bypass works yesterday.

JAY CRONAN

AS one of almost 400 people currently working on the Ballina bypass, Chris Coe is helping to give the local economy a huge boost.

He moved to Ballina from Sydney to take up a job as a senior project engineer, bringing his wife and two-year-old daughter. Six weeks ago the family welcomed a new addition, baby Sophie.

Mr Coe said they loved the North Coast lifestyle.

“We eat out at restaurants and my wife goes to cafes with other mums,” he said.

“On the weekends we do things to entertain our two-year-old, Emelie. We've got a yearly pass for the Macadamia Castle and we go to the House With No Steps at Alstonville.

“We also love buying local produce.”

RTA spokesman Tim Lloyd-George said the bypass was an 'important piece of infrastructure' which currently employed 200 staff and 175 sub-contractors.

“That is in addition to more than 2100 other workers that have already worked on site during the course of the project, including tradespeople, sub-contractors, suppliers and delivery drivers,” he said.

Ballina Chamber of Commerce chairman Glenn Costello said the town was 'fortunate' to have the bypass work happening during uncertain economic times.

“We've got 400 workers here until the end of 2012. It's like a factory springing up in your backyard,” he said.

“I think the economy would be struggling a bit if it wasn't for the bypass.

“The retail side is definitely benefiting, as well as hospitality. The housing market has strengthened because a lot of workers have bought homes in the region.”