NSW Government will put almost $5 million into roads and replacing bridges in Byron Shire

The shire’s remaining old timber bridges will be replaced as part of state-funded projects, in a major announcement that was made on the mayor’s last day in office.

Almost $5 million in funding has been announced for Byron Shire infrastructure in outgoing mayor Simon Richardson’s last official duty.

The State Government announced $3.2m in funding for major road network upgrades in the north of the shire under the Fixing Local Roads program on Friday, Cr Richardson’s final day with the council.

The money will go toward kerb repairs, heavy patching, asphalt resurfacing and line-marking on 29 roads in Ocean Shores, one in New Brighton and one in South Golden Beach.

Member of the Legislative Council Ben Franklin said the funding stream was designed to ease the burden on local councils.

An additional $1.57m will allow the shire’s three remaining timber bridges to be replaced with modern, concrete structures.

Millions of dollars of NSW Government funding has been announced for Ocean Shores and surrounds. Picture: Liana Boss

Mr Franklin said this would exclude the recently-refurbished South Arm Bridge in Brunswick Heads but would include Upper Main Arm Bridge at Upper Main Arm, Sherrington’s Bridge at The Pocket and Englishes Bridge at Upper Coopers Creek.

Mr Franklin said Cr Richardson’s relationship with the State Government was integral to securing major funding for infrastructure in recent years.

“Simon’s legacy will be significantly profound and will last for decades to come and that’s because of the relationship he’s been able to forge with the State Government,” Mr Franklin said.

“It’s been a productive relationship where we mightn’t have agreed on everything but on the things that mattered to the people in the shire, the funds were delivered on the ground.

Byron mayor Simon Richardson at the announcement of millions of dollars of funding for roads in Ocean Shores and surrounds and old timber bridges. The announcement, at Ocean Shores Country Club on Friday, April 30, 2021, was Cr Richardson's final official duty as mayor. Picture: Liana Boss

He said he was hopeful to continue a strong working relationship with the council as its leadership changes.

“Byron, I think, is an exemplar across the nation on how to work with government and how to deliver real outcomes for the community,” he said.

Cr Richardson said the road and bridge funding was “fantastic”.

“The Ocean Shores community makes up about a third of our population and certainly over the last couple of decades the infrastructure has been inadequate,” he said.