Mid North Coast communities will benefit from improved safety, reliability and resilience with work starting on a new and upgraded Stoney Creek Bridge on Pembrooke Road at Wauchope.
The Albanese and Minns governments are providing $6.5 million to Port Macquarie Hastings Council as part of the Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package which is jointly funded under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
The existing temporary one-lane structure will be replaced with a modern two-lane, single-span concrete bridge, featuring wider and better-aligned approaches, along with enhanced safety barriers. The new bridge will deliver a safer and more resilient transport link on Pembrooke Road, improving access and ensuring communities remain connected during periods of extreme flooding.
The original timber bridge structure was destroyed by the March 2021 floods, with a temporary bridge installed to reinstate access for commuters.
Work at Stoney Creek Bridge will begin in July 2026 with full completion expected by March 2027, weather permitting.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain:
"The Albanese Government is committed to supporting communities as they recover from natural disasters and strengthen their resilience for the future. This project will help keep the Wauchope region connected, improving safety and ensuring families, businesses and essential services can stay connected when they are needed most.
"The 2021 floods caused significant damage across the Mid North Coast, destroying the original Stoney Creek Bridge and disrupting access for local residents, businesses and emergency services.
"By investing in a new two-lane bridge and upgraded road approaches, we're improving safety, strengthening resilience and ensuring this important local connection is better able to withstand future flood events."
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison:
"Since the 2021 floods washed away the original bridge, this community has made do with a temporary, one-lane crossing. Today we're delivering something built to last - a stronger, wider, two-lane bridge that will keep Pembrooke Road open no matter what weather it faces.
"The Minns and Albanese Governments are committed to making our regional roads more resilient now, so they can stand up to Australia's severe weather events.
"The numbers back this approach. For every dollar spent on making our roads more resilient, up to ten dollars is saved down the track in recovery costs.
"Our regional communities shouldn't have to bear the brunt of natural disasters alone. This is what backing them looks like - investing now, so they're not left to rebuild from scratch next time."
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Recovery, Janelle Saffin:
"This is great news for the local community. The project, once complete, will improve road safety, transport efficiency, and flood resilience in the Wauchope region.
"This project will replace the temporary bridge with a new permanent concrete bridge with improved safety and flood resilience benefits.
"People who use Stoney Creek Bridge can look forward to improved journey reliability in all weather for years to come."
Quotes attributable to Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Mayor Adam Roberts:
"This project is about delivering a stronger, safer and more resilient connection for our rural communities, while reducing the impacts of future flood events on this critical section of the road network.
"This project is not simply about replacing infrastructure, it is about building back smarter and ensuring our communities remain connected when they need it most.
"Thank you to the Australian and NSW Governments for their commitment to strengthening rural infrastructure, improving safety outcomes and delivering more resilient transport links across our region."
