Session drives information about new river crossing

Community members keen to know more about Tamworth Regional Council’s Manilla Low Level Bridge project are encouraged to attend an information session at the Manilla Small Town Hall on Wednesday 6 March 2019 from 5.45pm.

The meeting will provide an opportunity for interested residents to hear the latest progress about the new crossing to be constructed about 380 metres upstream of the existing load-limited narrow bridge.

The crossing will be funded using a $7,896,500 grant secured through the State Government’s Growing Local Economies fund and a 10 per cent contribution from Council.

After the funding was announced last month, Council started work on the detailed design of the low level crossing and associated road approaches. It also wrote to Manilla residents to tell them more about the project and inform them about the plan for a community information session.

Tamworth Regional Councillor Jim Maxwell said Council sought funding for the project after the Manilla community identified a need for an additional crossing of the Namoi River at Manilla.

“The weight limitations and the narrow width of the existing Manilla Bridge has been a concern among community member for some years,” he said. 

“Their message to Council has been that the lack of an adequate bridge has impacted on the road transport industry and is deterring agricultural investment and expansion in the region.

“When an opportunity to secure State Government funding became available, Council put in an application – it was such great news for Manilla that we were able to secure the funding needed.”

Tamworth Regional Council Director Regional Services, Peter Resch said residents who attend the information session will learn about progress on the design and the possible routes being considered.

“Residents will also have the chance to have their questions answered,” he said. “The staff working on the project will be at the information session and explain the process we are now working through to get the new crossing constructed.”