Source: Kyogle Council media release.
KYOGLE Council Mayor Cr Danielle Mulholland OAM officially opened the new $3.3 million Montgomerys Bridge at Iron Pot Creek earlier today (Tuesday 8 September 2026).
The new bridge is not simply another new crossing – it restores access to Iron Pot Creek and Ghinni Ghi residents after almost six years of lengthy detours and it marks the end of an extraordinary Council-led infrastructure project.
“This day has been a long-time coming for local residents who have had to take a 16km detour each way since the old bridge was closed for safety reasons in November 2020,” Kyogle Council Mayor Danielle Mulholland OAM said.
“The bridge’s closure has been tough on residents and we want to acknowledge and thank them for their patience.
“And while this is a red letter day for them, it’s also a pretty big day for Council – the opening of Montgomerys Bridge marks the completion of our transformative $80 million Bridge Renewal Program.”
Over the past five years, Council has replaced an unprecedented 110 aging timber bridges across the Kyogle Local Government Area (LGA) through a funding partnership with the Australian and NSW governments. In doing so, Council has transformed the region’s transport network, making it safer, more resilient and more reliable.
“Now we can cross timber bridges off our list and crack on with roads, culverts and causeways, along with the many other projects we have in the works,” Cr Mulholland said.
Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said the opening of the new bridge delivered one of her election commitments from March 2023.
“The $3.3-million bridge on Iron Pot Creek Road was part of a larger $12-million commitment to Kyogle Council towards the replacement of council’s remaining 30 timber and composite bridges under the Minns Labor Government’s Regional Road Capital Fund,” Ms Saffin said.
“This bridge renewal package was aimed at improving road safety and connectivity in rural areas and was flexible, allowing Council to direct the funding at legacy projects like the old Montgomerys Bridge which had been closed for safety reasons since November 2020.
“Restoring direct access for residents west of Iron Pot Creek must be a huge relief for them after the impost of a 16-kilometre detour each way for such a long time. Today is cause for community celebration and congratulations to Council’s crews who build bridges to last.”
Photo: Community members and Kyogle councillors celebrate after the ribbon cutting on the new Montgomerys Bridge. A spot of car trouble meant Lismore MP Janelle Saffin was an apology for the event.
