William Scott
Construction has been completed on the rebuild of the Dumaresq Overflow Channel Bridge after it suffered flood damage in 2021, delivering improved access to motorists on Bruxner Way.
Bruxner Way is a regional road linking Tenterfield to Boggabilla and Goondiwindi in New South Wales. It services a largely agricultural region, with vehicles forced to use a single lane side road under traffic control since the bridge was washed away.
Work started in May 2023 and included the demolition of the damaged bridge and approach embankments, reconstruction and rehabilitation of the channel and surrounding riverbanks, and installation of steel guardrail.
This project was jointly funded by the Commonwealth Government, with Tenterfield Shire Council, Transport for NSW and the NSW Reconstruction Authority contributing through a New South Wales Government Tripartite funding initiative. This type of agreement reduces the financial pressure on councils, providing advanced funding and ensuring faster repairs for communities.
Work to build the new bridge was carried out for Tenterfield Shire Council by Transport for NSW and was jointly funded through the federal-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
The new three-span concrete bridge opened in an event on 4 February attended by Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery, Janelle Saffin, Tenterfield Mayor Bronwyn Petrie, and representatives from Transport for NSW.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Jenny McAllister, said that the consecutive flooding events across 2021 and 2022 had a significant impact on communities across northern New South Wales.
“The Federal and State Governments are working together to not just rebuild assets damaged across these flooding events, but where possible to build back in a way that makes infrastructure more resilient, reducing the impact of future disasters,” Ms McAllister said.
“The completed Dumaresq Overflow Channel Bridge means that residents and local agribusiness have an easier and quicker regional access.”
New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, said that northern New South Wales continues to build back its essential infrastructure following the devasting flood events that caused billions of dollars in damage across the region.
“It’s vital we restore infrastructure damaged by natural disasters,” Mr Dib said.
“This is a great example of three levels of government working together to ensure residents, businesses and visitors are all able to drive safely on these roads once more.”
New South Wales Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison, said that the State Government is pleased to be working with its Federal and local government colleagues to help restore access via the Dumaresq Overflow Channel Bridge.
“Residents in northern New South Wales have proven how resilient they can be in the face of the destruction they experienced in these significant flood events,” Ms Aitchison said.
“It’s great that this project will once again allow vehicles to access Bruxner Way.”
New South Wales Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin, said that she was glad to attend the official bridge reopening.
“Locals and visitors who use this road will be delighted that work on this bridge has been completed, providing access for residents, agriculture, business and tourism in this part of the world,” Ms Saffin said.
“As recovery and rebuilding continues, this project is another example of the hard work being done by all levels of government to aid those who rely on the local road network every day.
“I’d like to thank Tenterfield Council and Transport for NSW for getting this finished to such a high standard.”
Tenterfield Shire Mayor, Bronwyn Petrie, said that Council is pleased to see the reopening of the bridge on the Bruxner Way, which is a significant regional and interstate road.
“It has been nearly four years since the embankments were washed away in a devastating flood in March 2021, requiring road users to use a detour subject to closure during flood events, disrupting local traffic and heavy freight transport,” Mayor Petrie said.
“Tenterfield Shire Council greatly appreciates the disaster funding from the State and Federal governments to enable the rebuild and expresses our thanks to Transport for NSW and contractors for their work on the reconstruction.”
