The first stage of Lawson town centre’s reconstruction is about to get under way, marking a major milestone in the long-running saga over the village’s future.

Tenders will shortly close for construction work on the redevelopment including civil, water, sewer, electrical services, landscaping and urban improvement works.

“Blue Mountains City Council has been working with the community and the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) to develop a master plan for the Lawson town centre that will facilitate the widening of the Great Western Highway to be undertaken by the RTA and to allow the development of a new vibrant town centre,” said Blue Mountains mayor Jim Angel.

“The construction tenders include the construction of New Street, Staples Street, Adelaide Street, Blind Street, Benang Street, Bellevue Street, two unnamed streets, Mid-Mountains Community Centre car parks, the village square, village green, services, footpaths and landscaping.”

Tenders close on July 30 with construction anticipated to commence in October/November 2008.

Deputy mayor Chris Van der Kley added “it is very encouraging for the Lawson community and business owners to know that progress is being made on this significant project”.

In addition to the call for tenders for the construction of the town centre redevelopment, the local drainage project has been successfully completed.

The drainage work was required to prepare the existing storm water system for the work that will take place as part of the town centre redevelopment.

“A memorandum of understanding with the RTA is now in place following the successful negotiation between council and the RTA in February this year resulting in the RTA agreeing to significantly increase the original funding offer to council from $3m to $7.3m in recognition of the delay in starting the redevelopment project,” said Clr Van der Kley.