Council receives Grant for Newry Island Bridge Refurbishment


Bellingen Shire Council is thrilled to have secured a specific purpose grant of $600,000 from the NSW Government for the refurbishment of the Newry Island Bridge at Urunga.

In announcing the grant the Minister for Roads and Freight, the Hon. Duncan Gay MLC acknowledged that Council had worked exceptionally well in consulting with the Newry Island residents during the repair project.

Bellingen Shire Mayor, Cr Mark Troy agreed, saying “this has been a long and difficult project and I commend the Newry Island Working Group, residents, contractors, Emergency Services and Council staff for the cooperation and flexibility they have shown throughout the refurbishment process.”

The grant funding will be administered by Roads and Maritime on behalf of Transport NSW and is conditional that Council contribute the balance of funding to complete the project. 

This was the major project outlined in the Special Rate Variation (SRV) submission to IPART for infrastructure renewal. This grant will allow Council to continue to address the bridge infrastructure backlog identified in the comprehensive inspection program of the 136 bridge network which was undertaken in 2013.

Work on the Newry Island Bridge is in its final phase with only the bridge approaches and a final surface seal to be completed.  It is expected that the Newry Island Bridge will be officially reopened during a community ‘thank you’ BBQ to be held in mid December 2014.

In the meantime, the Mayor offered a huge vote of thanks to the NSW Government, the Minister for Roads, the Hon. Duncan Gay and our Roads & Maritime Services Regional Manager, John Alexander and his staff.

For more information visit Bellingen Shire Council