Timber renewal of South Arm Bridge, Brunswick Heads, on the way

Published on 06 September 2019

Byron Shire Council has awarded the tender for a heritage-sensitive timber upgrade of Brunswick Heads’ iconic South Arm Bridge to be undertaken over the next four months and completed prior to Christmas.

Council will receive $607,530 under Round Four of the Australian Government’s Bridges Renewal Program towards the major renewal works, which will begin on 16 September 2019.

“South Arm Bridge is a major thoroughfare requiring extensive structural upgrades and we are very pleased we can now get on with the job of increasing the structural integrity and safety of this bridge for the long term – for the benefit of our local communities for many decades to come,” Byron Shire Council’s Mayor, Simon Richardson said.

Council will match the funding provided by the Australian Government grant bringing the total investment in the project for South Arm Bridge to over $1.2 million.

“The iconic South Arm Bridge in Brunswick Heads provides the only vehicle access to Torakina beach, main beach, the surf club, the community centre and houses on South Beach Road and is widely recognised and loved for its heritage character,” Mayor Richardson said.

“The works will also be staged such that single lane traffic flow will be available to the community. There may be short periods where full closures will be required.

“It also provides the only access for emergency services and infrastructure maintenance and essential services like waste collection,” he said.

“Council understands the importance of retaining the heritage features of this bridge and has worked with consulting designers and engineers to retain the old-timber heritage look and feel of this historic bridge as much as possible, while extending its service life for the next 50 years.

“We plan to do this by dismantling the bridge, removing and replacing the old decayed timbers with new or repurposed timbers from previously dismantled bridges in Bangalow. A significant number of load bearing components such as the log girders and piles will be replaced.

“Our aim is to keep the community informed about this project and we will continue talking to local community groups and stakeholders to ensure we get the best result,” Mayor Richardson said.

For more information visit Council’s website:

www.byron.nsw.gov.au/Services/Major-projects/Brunswick-Heads-South-Arm-Bridge-timber-upgrade

Or contact Council’s Road and Bridge Engineer, Josh Provis, on 6626 7248.