RESIDENTS and motorists will soon see activity around the Molesworth Street Bridge in Tenterfield, as early work to improve flood resilience commences.
Tenterfield Shire Council received just over $9.9 million in funding from to build a new concrete bridge over Tenterfield Creek and relocate adjacent infrastructure.
Funding will be provided by the Albanese and Minns Governments’ Regional Roads Transport Recovery Package, through the joint Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Geotechnical work to help inform the design of the bridge redevelopment started in July, with construction scheduled to start mid-2025.
The project will also include the relocation of a sewer line that runs adjacent to the bridge, which was damaged in early 2022 when severe weather events affected northern NSW.
Images available here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/02xm8ww46ko84vd2pm0o4/AJtRA8dWyLzMwPXKikgFEHw?rlkey=6avw2t3ssfjmywuzq4wrw3hiu&e=1&st=fzm57133&dl=0
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister:
“The current bridge is vulnerable to natural disasters, leading to regular disruptions to the local community.
“It’s why we’re building this bridge to a better standard, helping the community stay connected in the event of any future disasters.
“We want to work with state and local government to make sure communities like Tenterfield are better prepared for natural disasters.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Planning Paul Scully:
“The funding for this improvement to the bridge will allow councils and other road authorities to ‘build back better’ so infrastructure is more resilient.
“Revitalising the bridge will allow the community, State Government agencies, Tenterfield Shire Council, and industry to withstand and respond to bushfires, severe weather and flooding events effectively.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison:
“I was delighted to visit Tenterfield recently to thank Janelle Saffin and Tenterfield council for their advocacy efforts to ensure this vital bridge is rebuilt.
“This project is a great example of all three levels of government working together to keep communities better connected during future natural disasters.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin:
“This bridge is a critical piece of infrastructure for the residents of Tenterfield.
“In a major flood it goes under water, isolating the town’s important medical services, including the 18-bed acute hospital with a 24-hour emergency department.
“There is also no helipad, which reinforces the need for access to the hospital to be maintained.
“In times of natural disaster, access to medical services can be a matter of life and death, so the community benefits of this project are obvious.”
Quotes attributable to Tenterfield Mayor Bronwyn Petrie:
“Tenterfield Shire Council is grateful for the full funding of the replacement and betterment of the timber Molesworth Street Bridge and adjacent sewer line by the Australian and NSW Governments under the Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package totaling $9,988,775.80.
“Council is pleased to announce we have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Transport for NSW to deliver the bridge component of the project, fostering collaborative relationships and enhancing Council’s in-house skills, leveraging the professional and comprehensive expertise of Transport in design and construction.
“Following geotechnical, planning and design work, construction work on the bridge will commence with detours via Duncan, High and Scott streets.”
A file photo of Janelle Saffin MP and Mayor Bronwyn Petrie hosting Minister Jenny Aitchson during a visit to Tenterfield, which included an inspection of the old Molesworth Street Bridge.
