Justins Bridge

Project typeBridge Renewal
Project value$1.25M
Project scheduleImplementation
Contractor nameCoastal Works

Timeframe

Construction expected to commence March 2025 with end of 2025 completion planned - subject to environmental approvals.

Community Impacts

Once bridge works start, there will be traffic control on the road periodically meaning there may be some delays. Notifications to the community will be provided during any major disruption via online channels and VMS boards

Justins bridge replacement is undergoing extensive environmental approvals process as the Bellinger River is known habitat for the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle (BRST).

The site requires a Species Impact Statement in relation to the BRST and Council has submitted a significant body of work to both the state and federal governing bodies to ensure the project meets all the environmental requirements.

The project can only commence once the environmental approvals are granted. We thank residents for their patience as Council works to maintain the unique local biodiversity while constructing this critical infrastructure.

About the Bridge

Justins Bridge is located on Darkwood Road. The current timber bridge is aging and showing showing signs of deterioration. The new bridge will be a concrete, single lane structure, which will improve the integrity of the bridge and reduce recurrent maintenance costs into the future.

Environmental Approvals

Bellingen Shire Council is undergoing extensive environmental assessments for the replacement of the bridges (Justins, Joyces, Hobarts and Duffys).

Through this assessment process the potential for impacts to the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle (Myuchelys georgesi) were identified a part of the construction of the new bridges.

Council is assessing the Project under Part 5 Division 5.1 of the Environment Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) and Part 7 of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act).

As part of the assessment for the proposed works a Species Impact Statement (SIS) has been issued to Biodiversity and Conservation Division of the Department of Planning and Environment and is to be made available for public exhibition.

The purpose of a Species Impact Statement (SIS) is to:

Allow the proponent to identify threatened species, ecological communities, or their habitats, assess the likely effect of impact from the activity on threatened species, ecological communities, or their habitats, and provide appropriate amelioration for adverse impacts resulting from the activity.

A link to the Species Impact Statement on Public Exhibition can be found at:

https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/exhibition

Closing Date 20/9/2024