The crane could also not operate in the wind due to the proximity of the power lines.

However the weather today is somewhat better and good progress is being made.

Newry Island bridge is made up of six (6) spans. In terms of progress, girders have been installed for the first three spans and the decking of these spans is programmed to be finished today. Span five has been demolished and the girders and decking for span four are programmed to be installed on Friday morning. 

It is planned the demolition of the final span will occur on Friday which would allow the final two spans of girders to be installed on Friday night. When the final girders are in place, the completion of the decking and installation of the kerbs can occur which, all going well, is currently scheduled for Saturday.

At this stage, it is expected that the bridge will re-open at 6am Sunday morning 31 August. 

Initially when the bridge is reopened pedestrian access will not be available and the load limit will remain at 3 tonne to allow for more detailed completion work to be finalised . Arrangements will be made to escort school children across the bridge next week.

Additional work will be undertaken next week which will provide permanent pedestrian access and enable 

the load limit to be reassessed.

Council is well aware that any extension to the bridge closure creates inconvenience for residents in their usual daily lives and regrets that this is occurring. The patience and resilience of Newry Island residents during these difficult circumstances is both acknowledged and appreciated by Council. 

The arrangements that are currently in place for regular boat access to and from the Island will continue 

until the bridge re opens. Similarly current arrangements with Busways for school pickup and set down will continue.

Council will continue to issue Community updates as further information comes to hand.

Further Updates and Enquiries

A further update will be issued as further information comes to hand. Council has arranged for support to 

residents who have any enquiries through a dedicated resource. All enquiries should be directed to 6655-

7300 at any time (24 hours). 

Council staff and contractors are focused on completing the bridge restoration as soon as possible, in what are trying circumstances. Similarly there are a large number of other government agencies and their staff as well as private companies and volunteers who are supporting this project that we would like to thank including:

 NSW State Emergency Services

 NSW Rural Fire Service

 Fire and Rescue NSW

 NSW Ambulance

 Essential Energy

 Urunga Chamber of Commerce

 Coffs Bellingen Nambucca Community

Transport,

 Australia Post

 Busways

 Ecological Australia-our bat experts

 Handybin

 The Urunga Waters Tourist Park

 Glen Morris (our boat operator)

 Island residents who are hosting emergency vehicles, and loaning us their jetty to allow residents to alight from the boat.

A huge ongoing thankyou to the Newry Island Bridge Residents Committee and in particular Vanessa Hogan who is the coordinator council has been liaising with for community support and information.

Mail Deliveries:

Council has been advised that mail is being held at the Urunga Post Office and Newry Island residents can collect it from there. Council understand that the Post Office will allow neighbours to collect mail as long as identification is shown. Normal service will resume once the bridge is opened.

Emergency Services:

The SES and other Emergency Services arrangements which are already in place for the Bridge closure have now been extended to continue until the Bridge reopens. The SES boat can only be used in emergency situations.