Bungabbee Bridge Replacement

Consultation has concluded

***These works are now complete and Bungabbee Bridge has re-opened. See further information under 'Community Updates' below *****

Lismore City and Richmond Valley councils are working together to replace the Bungabbee Bridge (Disputed Plains Bridge) on Bungabbee Road, Bentley, in the 2020/21 financial year.

**Community Updates on this project can be found at the "Community Updates" tab at the bottom of this page. These are also mailed out to a distribution list of local residents.

Bungabbee Bridge is a boundary bridge which straddles the border of both Lismore City and Richmond Valley Local Government Areas and the two councils share responsibility for replacing the bridge.

The Federal Government will fund 50% of the cost of replacing the bridge through its Bridge Renewal Program.

Following concerns raised by residents around the condition of the bridge, safety and access to properties, an inspection was conducted in April 2020. This determined that the bridge needed replacing in the near future.

The report also recommended putting in place safety measures such as load limits and safety barriers, and traffic should be limited to only residents who need direct property access via the bridge. These measures were implemented immediately.

The issue has brought to light the importance of heavy vehicle access for residents who are recovering from drought, fire and flooding. We are aware that many farmers in this area have diversified to survive the drought, increasing the need for heavy vehicle usage on the Bungabbee Bridge.

Lismore City and Richmond Valley councils are aware of the need to replace this bridge in the shortest possible time frame. We understand that the safety measures and load limits put in place earlier this year have had significant impacts for the local community and we are working to complete this project as soon as possible.

Thank you for your patience while we replace the Bungabbee Bridge.

If you have further questions about this project, please use the online Q&A function below and a staff member will respond to your enquiry as soon as possible.

You can also read updates on progress at the "Community Updates" tab below and see photographs of progress to the right.

***These works are now complete and Bungabbee Bridge has re-opened. See further information under 'Community Updates' below *****

Lismore City and Richmond Valley councils are working together to replace the Bungabbee Bridge (Disputed Plains Bridge) on Bungabbee Road, Bentley, in the 2020/21 financial year.

**Community Updates on this project can be found at the "Community Updates" tab at the bottom of this page. These are also mailed out to a distribution list of local residents.

Bungabbee Bridge is a boundary bridge which straddles the border of both Lismore City and Richmond Valley Local Government Areas and the two councils share responsibility for replacing the bridge.

The Federal Government will fund 50% of the cost of replacing the bridge through its Bridge Renewal Program.

Following concerns raised by residents around the condition of the bridge, safety and access to properties, an inspection was conducted in April 2020. This determined that the bridge needed replacing in the near future.

The report also recommended putting in place safety measures such as load limits and safety barriers, and traffic should be limited to only residents who need direct property access via the bridge. These measures were implemented immediately.

The issue has brought to light the importance of heavy vehicle access for residents who are recovering from drought, fire and flooding. We are aware that many farmers in this area have diversified to survive the drought, increasing the need for heavy vehicle usage on the Bungabbee Bridge.

Lismore City and Richmond Valley councils are aware of the need to replace this bridge in the shortest possible time frame. We understand that the safety measures and load limits put in place earlier this year have had significant impacts for the local community and we are working to complete this project as soon as possible.

Thank you for your patience while we replace the Bungabbee Bridge.

If you have further questions about this project, please use the online Q&A function below and a staff member will respond to your enquiry as soon as possible.

You can also read updates on progress at the "Community Updates" tab below and see photographs of progress to the right.

Consultation has concluded

Community Update: 3 November 2021

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Members of the Bentley community gathered on Tuesday 2 November 2021, for the official opening of the new Bungabbee Bridge which was replaced due to safety issues.
Our specialist bridge crew replaced the aging wooden bridge with a new concrete and steel structure, delivering safer and more reliable journeys for locals, farmers and truck drivers.

Funded by the Federal and State governments, the new $650,000 bridge is one of ten aging wooden bridges Council will replace thanks to a $11 million government grant.

This project has helped support 20 local jobs over the nine months while work was carried out, including five full-time positions.

Council staff would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your patience and support throughout the construction of the new bridge. It has been greatly appreciated and has made our work easier.
Community Update: 23 August

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Both bridge abutments were successfully poured on Friday 20 August. Abutments are used at the ends of bridges to retain the embankment and to carry the vertical and horizontal loads from the superstructure to the foundation.
We have experienced delays regarding the bearing pads due to COVID related issue and this means that the placement of concrete bridge beams has had to be pushed back.
In our last update, we said that we were hoping for work to be completed by the end of September. This is looking unlikely due to COVID-related delays.
Bungabbee Bridge Update: 16 July

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We are making progress on the Bungabbee Bridge replacement. We have had to install temporary working platforms and a creek crossing for the piling rig to install the reinforced concrete piles. These concrete piles have now been installed and Council’s bridge construction team is currently onsite cutting the piles to size (see photo on the right hand side of this page.) This is in preparation for the next stage of construction which will see the forming up of both abutments A & B. Work is currently scheduled to be completed by the end of September, however this is subject to no further issues with supply of reinforcing steel and COVID-19 restrictions affecting overseas suppliers.
Bungabbee Bridge replacement update: June 2021

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Work is progressing well on the bridge replacement. We've included some photos to the right hand side to show the works, for those that are interested.
Pre-construction activities such as compound set up, vegetation works, piling pad construction, temporary track construction and erosion and sediment controls are currently being undertaken.
Following this work, a piling contractor will undertake pile installation. We are expecting this activity to take 1 week, weather dependent.
The existing bridge will remain open until commissioning of the new bridge. The temporary track is for construction traffic plant/machinery only.
The current program suggests an approximate 16-week construction time frame starting from early June. Commencement of work was delayed due to weather, contractor availability and conflicting project priorities.
Below is a summary of the different activities that will take place on this project, in sequential order:
• Preconstruction;
• Earthworks & piling;
• Abutment construction;
• Beam/ girder installation;
• Deck construction;
• Earthworks/ backfilling & drainage;
• Removal of existing structure;
• Road furniture; &
• Demobilisation.
Bungabbee Bridge replacement update: March 2021

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Lismore City Council would like to provide residents with an update on this project.
Council staff have received and reviewed preliminary plans for the bridge and road design which will now be finalised and issued within the next fortnight.
This will be followed by the procurement of various bridge components and the engagement of relevant contractors in order to deliver this project.
At this stage, we still aim to start work on-site in April with an approximate 16-week construction timeframe. Our schedule is on track and, at this stage, we have experienced no unforeseen delays.
The Federal Government will fund 50% of the cost of replacing the bridge through its Bridge Renewal Program and the NSW Government has recently announced it will fund the remaining 50% through its Fixing Country Bridges Program. This is great news for residents and all ratepayers of Lismore City and Richmond Valley local government areas.
We will continue to keep you informed as this project progresses further, so stay tuned for further updates.
Preliminary works underway: 3 December 2020

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Lismore City Council has started preliminary works to replace the Bungabbee Bridge with the following activities:
- A Review of Environmental Factors (REF) is currently underway.
- Geotechnical investigation commences on-site the week commencing 7 December.
- Project management plans are currently underway and nearing completion.
- The bridge design tender will be released the week commencing 7 December with the aim to award the successful tender prior to Christmas.
Next steps in 2021 are as follows:
- Final designs to be completed by mid-February.
- Contractors to be engaged and bridge components ordered during late February and March.
- The aim is to start work on-site in April with an approximate 16-week construction period.
The timeline above is subject to change due to availability of contractors and weather.
Lismore City Council has successfully obtained a grant from the Federal Government to fund 50% of works and has now applied for a NSW Government grant to fund the other 50% of works. We should know the outcome of this application by early January.
Thank you for your patience as we work to replace the Bungabee Bridge. We wish everyone a very safe and happy Christmas and will include further updates about construction timelines in the new year.