Council receives funding to replace ageing timber bridges

Published on 25 February 2021

Fifty-six timber bridges across the shire will be made safer, more durable and able to withstand larger vehicle loads with Council receiving over $16 million under the NSW Government’s Fixing Country Bridges program.

The bridges will be replaced with concrete to allow for heavy truck loads, improve access and safety for farmers, industry and locals, be more resistant to damage from fire and floods and reduce the annual maintenance costs for Council.

Kempsey Shire Mayor, Liz Campbell, celebrated the funding for timber bridge replacement across the shire as a great result for many years hard work.

“Kempsey have been working for many years alongside the other Councils in our Mid North Cost Joint Organisation to pursue funding to replace our timber bridges,” said Cr Campbell.

“Many of our timber bridges are sadly showing the signs of age, weather and the impact of fires and floods and to be able to move forward with our plan to replace them with new, improved bridges is fantastic.

“These new bridges will make a huge difference to the lives of so many in the shire through increased safety, reliability and peace of mind.”