Investigations underway to restore access at Winburndale Rivulet

MEDIA RELEASE 17 January 2019

Bathurst Regional Council is reaching out to a range of organisations and government bodies to investigate options for temporary access across Winburndale Rivulet after Howards Bridge on the Bridle Track was washed away in a storm last Friday, January 11.

Council has a detour in place along Box Ridge Road, but a solution needs to be found for a more direct route for residents, while planning and funding is sought to replace the 80-year-old bridge with a new structure.

Mayor Cr Graeme Hanger OAM said Council is investigating a range of options for temporary access and is speaking with relevant Government departments and organisations including Fisheries, the Office of Water and others to determine what Council is able to do on site prior to the construction of a new bridge.

“It will take some months for Council to seek and gain government approvals and undertake design work for a new bridge across Winburndale Rivulet. It is important to be able to restore more direct access for residents and others who use this section of the Bridle Track and we are working on this.

“We are exploring a range of options from a causeway to a temporary bridge. However these options will also need relevant approvals and Council is working through these with various State Government bodies. It will take some weeks before we have a clear answer on what option we will be able to proceed with.

“Council will seek funding from the Federal and State Government’s disaster assistance programs for the bridge works if the event is declared a disaster. We are still waiting advice on this declaration,” Cr Hanger said.

Grading works are ongoing on Box Ridge Road after commencing earlier this week. Council will continue to monitor the condition of the road with the increase in traffic while the detour is in place.