Eighteen timber bridges replaced with more to come

Published on 24 April 2023

McKenzies Bridge replacement

A message from the Mayor

Recently I travelled to the Toose Road landslip. On the way there I crossed the newly completed concrete McKenzies Creek bridge which replaced a timber structure. This reminded me of Kempsey Shire Council’s ongoing timber bridge replacement program. 

One of the most important services Council provides to the community is its roads and bridges. Our community needs a network of safe and efficient roads for travelling from one place to another. Council must maintain 1,259 kilometres of roads which include 4,025 metres of bridge crossings.

During the disasters of 2019-20, many of our Council-maintained bridges were damaged or destroyed. Fifty-six of these have been funded by the NSW Government's Fixing Country Bridges program for replacement with concrete structures. Eighteen have been completed and seven more are underway. The plan is to have all bridges completed by March 2024 but there may be delays, such as obtaining materials, staffing and contractors’ availability, and weather.

Council's planning and works staff have done an amazing job in working on this major infrastructure program. We should all be thankful to them for their efforts so far.

Submissions on planning documents

At the April Council Meeting, Councillors resolved to put on exhibition five critical documents. Members of the community are asked to make submissions on these plans by the middle of May.

The suite of documents includes: 

  • 2023-24 Operational Plan, a detailed document that outlines the specific actions, activities, and projects we will do to achieve our commitments in the 2022-26 Delivery Program,
  • 2023-24 Revenue Policy, 
  • 2023-24 Fees and Charges, 
  • 2023-24 Rates Maps, and 
  • 2023-33 Long Term Financial Plan.

You can learn more about Corporate planning, performance and budget

Council’s 2023-24 Budget includes $46.89 million for roads and bridges, $26.93 million for water services, $19.29 million for sewer services and $13.09 million for waste services.

Some key projects that are planned to progress in 2023-24 such as:

  • Water treatment plants at Willawarrin, Steuart McIntyre Dam and Crescent Head
  • Stuarts Point Sewerage Scheme development,
  • Horseshoe Bay walkway and headland carpark,
  • Verge and Eden Street Sporting Complex.

Submissions on any of these planning documents are welcome. 

They will be considered carefully by staff and be presented to Council for adoption at the June Council Meeting. 

Look at the plans at ksc.pub/budget2023 and please give Council your suggestions for possible improvements.

Thank you,

Mayor Leo Hauville

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