Council has approved the subdivision of two lots in Hereford Street for the purpose of road widening works.

The boundary adjustment was deemed necessary to allow electrical mains owned by Essential Energy to be relocated farther away from the proposed roundabout than first anticipated.

Council staff also took into consideration the likelihood that Hereford Street will become a dual carriageway in the future, saying it was an "opportune time" to also adjust the boundary for the entire length of that potential dual carriageway, not just near the roundabout.

READ ALSO: Plans for Hereford Street upgrade and new river crossing are progressing

Discussion at Wednesday's meeting digressed into the impact of the proposed roundabout at the entry to the sporting fields.

"I still have major concerns in regards to us looking like we're going forward with a roundabout in the middle of Hereford Street. To me, it completely defeats the purpose of adding an extra lane either way to basically make the trip easier for people," Cr Alex Christian said.

READ MORE: Councillor says he's against putting a new roundabout on busy road

He wasn't alone in his concern, with traffic committee member Warren Aubin worried that installing a roundabout before the road is widened could exacerbate existing traffic flow issues.

"I just can't see that a single-lane roundabout in the middle of Hereford Street is going to be of any benefit of turning into the sporting fields. I'd like to see better timing of building a roundabout," he said.

Cr Aubin suggested a turning lane to facilitate traffic entering the sporting fields, but council's director of Engineering Services, Darren Sturgiss, explained council could face additional costs as a result of delaying the roundabout until Hereford Street becomes four lanes.

Councillors Monica Morse and Jess Jennings also raised concerns about the roundabout, but there was some support for the infrastructure from Cr Bobby Bourke.

"We've just spent around about $10 million on sporting fields and clubhouses there, we use it for when the show's there, there's a new 800 [space] car park to go just opposite the roundabout and people do need to come out of there safely," he said.

"I know it's a slow one there now in peak traffic times, but those sporting facilities need an area for safety to come out of and I feel it's important this roundabout goes there."

Cr John Fry agreed with him and, following further comment from Mr Sturgiss, reminded councillors that the purpose of approving the boundary adjustments was purely a matter of preparation for future development of Hereford Street.

At this stage, there are no concrete timelines for the construction of a roundabout, and detailed design work has not been completed for a potential widening of Hereford Street to four lanes.

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