Joint media release with the Hon Janelle Saffin MP and the Hon Jenny Aitchison MP
New bridges are being built, some timber bridges are being replaced with culverts, and multiple causeways are receiving treatments as part of a multi-million-dollar program in the Tweed to improve resilience against flooding.
Up to 35 causeways and culverts across the Tweed Shire will be upgraded as part of the Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package, a jointly funded Australian and NSW Government program under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
The two governments have approved more than $22 million for these projects to limit the impacts of future extreme flood events across the shire.
Work started in April and will largely be carried out by local contractors, as well as Tweed Shire Council work crews.
Work is expected to be completed by late next year, weather permitting. Causeways to receive funding include:
- Midginbil Road - causeway replacement
- Booka Road - causeway replacement
- Numinbah Road - concrete pavement
- Byrrill Creek Road - causeway replacement
- Rowlands Creek Road - new culvert
- Commissioners Creek Road - concrete approaches
- Crooks Valley Road - new culvert
- Commissioners Creek Road - new culvert
- Rowlands Creek Road - new culvert
- Rowlands Creek Road - new culvert
- Kerrs Lane Pumpenbil - new culvert and concrete causeway
- Urliup Road Bilambil - culvert repairs and approach slabs
- Tunnel Road Stokers Siding - concrete approach slabs and flexible pavement
- Tweed Valley Way (Blacks Drain) - concrete pavement and embankment protection
- Ophir Glen - bridge deck replacement
- Mount Warning Road - concrete approaches
- Cedar Creek Road - upgrade timber bridge
- Geles Road - replace timber bridge with concrete bridge
- Burringbar Road - replace timber bridge with concrete bridge
- Crabbes Creek Road - replace culvert
- Crabbes Creek Road - replace culvert
- Crabbes Creek Road - replace culvert
- Crabbes Creek Road - new causeway
- Everinghams Road - additional cross drainage pipe
- Glengarrie Road - additional cross drainage pipe
- Reserve Creek Road - additional cross drainage pipe
- Commissioners Creek Road - concrete approaches
- Byrrill Creek Road - pavement stabilisation
- Cobaki Road - pavement stabilisation
- Dungay Creek Road - concrete approach
- Byrrill Creek Road - barrier modification
- Reserve Creek Road - replace timber bridge with concrete culvert
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain:
"All of Australia saw the damage done to Tweed Shire and other parts of the Northern Rivers during the devastating flooding of early 2022, so it's pleasing to see all the work that's now underway to make the region more resilient against future events.
"When completed, this work will keep the community safer, allow it to get back on its feet sooner after a natural disaster and avoid much of the social and economic cost that goes with extreme events.
"We can't prevent those from happening, but we can be better prepared, and that's what this work does."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Recovery and North Coast Janelle Saffin:
"We often take the road and transport network for granted, but that attitude changes when those networks are disrupted by flooding or other natural disasters.
"These critical pieces of infrastructure keep communities connected, they provide access to crucial medical facilities, food and other everyday needs and help our agricultural and businesses running.
"I'm pleased Tweed Shire Council has recognised these important routes and is using betterment funding to help keep them open in future events."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison:
"The cumulative impact of these projects on the community and the environment is substantial.
"The improved drainage infrastructure will help reduce soil erosion, protect water quality, reduce build-up of sediment and preserve ecosystems.
"After flood events, it will reduce demands on resources, emissions and material waste, as well as the need for frequent repair or replacement.
Quotes attributable to Tweed Shire Council Manager Infrastructure Delivery, Tim Mackney:
"Tweed has been fortunate to be part of the betterment funding arrangements, and the benefits will be with us for a long time.
"This is another example where Council has made the most of external funding to assist the Tweed to be more resilient to the challenges of climate change.
"One of our major projects will be the reconstruction of Blacks Drains on Tweed Valley Way at South Murwillumbah. The major design and construction work will increase resilience against natural disasters and improve the site's functionality in future floods."
