Glen Innes Severn Council has successfully replaced five ageing timber bridges, marking a major milestone under Round 1 of the NSW Government’s Fixing Country Bridges (FCB) Program.
Funded with $4.7 million from the FCB Program and an additional $1.17 million from the Australian Government’s Bridges Renewal Program, the project has delivered vital upgrades to key local routes—enhancing safety, connectivity, and resilience across the region.
The funding supported the replacement of five ageing timber bridges: the Mann River Bridges on Mount Mitchell Road and Shannon Vale Road, Yarrow Creek Bridge on Mount Mitchell Road, Furracabad Creek Bridge and the Wentworth Street Bridge over Rocky Ponds Creek.
This achievement improves regional connectivity and enhances the safety and reliability of the Glen Innes Severn transport network.
All replaced timber bridges had reached the end of their serviceable life, with the works led by Council’s Works Department and local contractors.
Glen Innes Severn Council Mayor Margot Davis said this is a proud moment for the region.
“The five bridges were successfully delivered almost entirely with internal resources and local expertise. These five bridges represent a major achievement in strengthening the region’s transport network, ensuring communities stay connected and better equipped,” she said.
“We are very proud of the fact that Council’s approach to delivering these critical infrastructure projects was recognised in June 2024, when the Council received the Asset and Infrastructure Award for the construction of Yarrow Creek Bridge on Mount Mitchell Road.”
“The award highlighted the successful delivery of the project, as well as the upskilling of Council staff to complete complex infrastructure works internally, alongside local contractors.”
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison, said the delivery of these five bridges represents a major achievement in strengthening the region’s transport network, enhancing connectivity, and improving safety for all road users.
“The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring our regional communities have access to the infrastructure they need and deserve. The completion of this project is a huge win for this community, who will benefit from better connectivity and safety following the completion of these bridge upgrades.”
“The $500 million Fixing Country Bridges Program enables local councils to replace timber bridges to better connect regional communities. The program is on track to replace about 500 bridges across 58 council areas, including these five in Glen Innes.”
Glen Innes Severn Council was one of only eight councils nominated for this prestigious Local Government Excellence Award from the New South Wales Local Government Awards in Sydney.
Works were carried out over a period of three years with the final bridge completed in April this year.
Each timber bridge has been replaced with a new, higher, wider concrete structure, complete with re-aligned road approaches to enhance safety and improve flood mitigation.
These upgrades will significantly reduce road closures due to flooding and provide more reliable access for motorists, ensuring safer and more efficient travel throughout the region.
Additionally, a number of these bridges were previously load limited due to structural concerns which added significant detours for heavy vehicles such as cattle trucks.
The new concrete bridges are built to Australian Standards which has removed the load limit and allows access for high productivity vehicles for primary producers in the Local Government Area.
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