Shingle Hut Creek Bridge opened near Armidale

Industry leaders joined Armidale Regional Council representatives and the Federal Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, to celebrate the opening of the Shingle Hut Creek Bridge, which was funded through a $984,000 grant from the Federal Government's Drought Communities Programme Extension.

The $700,000 council project replaced an aging timber bridge with a wider concrete structure to improve traffic safety and remove the need for a weight limit on the creek crossing, assisting vehicle access to major agribusiness in the Castle Doyle area.

Mayor Ian Tiley, who was only elected this week, said Castle Doyle precinct was important for agribusiness in the region, including a major strawberry plant nursery and medicinal cannabis production.

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"The precinct offers fantastic potential for further expansion of agribusiness and job creation and the improved access provided by this bridge can only help to realise that potential," Cr Tiley said.

"At the same time, it improves road safety for all road users."

Cr Tiley said the Drought Communities Programme grant is just one example of the Federal Government's valuable assistance to our region as we bounce back from the effects of drought, bushfires and pandemic during the past 18 months.

"Barnaby's consistent advocacy and lobbying has ensured we have benefitted greatly from the Federal Government's economic recovery initiatives."

Mr Joyce told the opening: "As we take the standard of infrastructure ahead, we take the standard of living and the economy ahead with us.

"This will deliver a better return through the farm gate and means local people can get to their destination with greater ease and safety."

A representative of Red Jewel Strawberries, Ian Mungall, said the upgraded bridge has been a welcome improvement for vehicle movements to and from their Castle Doyle operation.

"It has helped to streamline the transportation of produce and supplies to and from our site, while improving access for staff," Mr Mungall said.

Council worked with construction contractor Coastal Works and local earthworks contractors for the project, with construction started in August and completed earlier this month.

Shingle Hut Creek Bridge is one of three timber bridges being replaced by Council during the 2020/21 financial year, improving traffic safety and access for heavy vehicles.

Council is also replacing timber bridges on Cookes Road and Rockvale Road, as Round 4 of Council's Bridge Renewal Strategy.

The $686,000 project to replace Dumaresq Creek Bridge on Cookes Road and the $620,000 Pint Pot Creek Bridge are scheduled for the first half of 2021.

A total of 32 timber bridges have been identified for replacement through the Bridge Renewal Strategy, which receives dollar-for-dollar funding assistance through the Federal Government's Bridge Renewal Program.

Funds from the Drought Communities Programme Extension grant have also been used for upgrades to Armidale War Memorial Library.