Flood repairs a focus for 2023

One of Byron Shire Council’s main areas of focus in 2023 is managing a $180mil program of food recovery work designed to provide improvements and solutions to roads and bridges that will be able to stand up to future food events.

“We are very aware that much of this work will be starting 12 months after the foods and it is a frustrating wait for those in our community who are negotiating damaged roads, bridges and causeways as part of their daily routine,” Phil Holloway, Director Infrastructure Services said.

“Immediately after the foods our teams worked solidly to get temporary access restored to all the areas that we could as well as road and bridge repairs,” Mr Holloway said.

“While this was happening, and we had a clear picture of the damage, we started work on the list of long-term repairs,” he said.

There has been a lot of work happening behind the scenes including identifying and prioritising projects, securing contractors, writing tenders and applying for funding to get these projects off the ground.

“While it is frustrating for our community, it has been challenging for Council as well, because we, along with the other councils in the region, have never dealt with a disaster of this magnitude.

“For a small, regional Council like Byron Shire, a damage bill of more than $180 million, is beyond our fnancial capacity and we are working with the NSW Government to secure funding and planning scope and detail of each project and sourcing contractors are not things that can be done quickly,” he said.

“Finally, this part of the process has progressed to a point where we can start looking at fxing the damaged roads and bridges properly.

“The good news is that work on repairing some major drainage infrastructure at upper Huonbrook is progressing and hopefully will be fnished by mid-2023.

“When we started this job, we intended to create an interim access for local residents but with the expertise of contractors, we decided to take a little more time to do a long-term remediation for the drainage structures,” Mr Holloway said.

“We still have to install two box culverts and do some revegetation and rehabilitation work and we are hoping this will start in March,” he said. Tenders for the Federal Drive landslip have closed and are being assessed.

A report will be prepared and is expected to go on the agenda for the consideration of Council in late February.

At Upper Main Arm, reconstruction work is not expected to start until the second quarter 2023 pending approvals from Transport for New South Wales.

In the meantime Council is looking at doing some temporary grading work as an interim measure until the reconstruction work gets underway.

Prior to Christmas the clearing of culverts was fnished, along with some other emergency roadwork such as road pavement works at Palmwoods Road.

Council has also prepared applications for additional funding to improve the resilience of the Main Arm Road to withstand future fooding events.

The results of the funding applications, which are expected in early 2023, will inform the extent and type of repairs.

Work on roads at Upper Wilsons Creek have included some gravel re-sheeting and grading, repairs to table drains and some cleaning out of debris in culverts and causeways.

More long-term work needs to be done in this area, and this is also the subject of an additional funding application to improve the resilience to withstand impacts from future fooding events.

In the meantime, Council continues with its program of projects and road infrastructure maintenance, which is separate to food recovery projects.

“This is what is referred to as ‘business as usual’ and it is essential that we continue with this work alongside the food projects because we have commitments that need to be fulflled to funding bodies and more generally to our entire community,” Mr Holloway said.

“We cannot do food recovery work until we have funding from the NSW and Australian Governments because we simply do not have the money in reserve to do this,” he said.

The Glen Innes Show is dubbed the “Royal of the North” with an action packed 3 days of entertainment.

Uniquely Australian

The Glen Innes Show is one of the best examples of that uniquely Australian institution – the Agricultural Show. It proudly celebrated its sesquicentennial (150 years) in 2018 and welcomes everyone to join them in 2023 to continue celebrating the tradition that is.

Originally run by the P&A Association, the Glen Innes Show has brought the community together since its inception in 1869.

A blend of the best the country has to offer, with arts and craft, fairground rides, the latest in tractors, frst class showjumping, an unrivalled cattle pavilion display, poultry, sheep, even sports shearing as well as a demolition derby, mechanical pavilion and trade expo.

Wind-down at the popular show bar, or enjoy a steak sandwich at the barbecue. Perhaps rest your feet at the historical tearoom and savour the old-fashioned meals and a fresh pot of tea, or just fnd a shady spot under the glorious avenue of trees lining the grounds and watch the world pass by.

The Glen Innes Show is conducted over three days and is jam-packed with excitement and entertainment for all age groups and interests. It is highly regarded as one of, if not the best, Agricultural Shows in New South Wales outside of the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

In 2023, the Glen Innes Show commences on Friday February 10th and comes to a close on Sunday February 12th. There will be a full schedule of events including 39 sections from Livestock to Folk Art. There are several special attractions planned for the night

Flowers for All Occasions

Delivering fresh flowers and cupcakes to Glen Innes & surrounds.

176 Grey St, Glen Innes 02 6732 2995 www.rhubarbandrosieshop.com.au time ring schedule with a massive freworks display each evening at 9.00pm.

There will be a nonstop ring program over the frst two days featuring plenty of livestock exhibits and horse events including top-class show jumping, and the highlight of the frst day is the offcial opening ceremony commencing at 6pm Friday 10th.

The Grand Parade takes place on Saturday February 11th at 4 pm, and the show culminates with a Campdraft, Pet Show and many other fabulous events on Sunday 12th.

2023 Weekend Passes

2023 Members Passes

Members

$55 for 1 x adult member, 1 x adult guest, members immediate children under 16 years plus 1 members car pass

Single Member

$33 for 1x adult member, members immediate children under 16 years plus 1 members car pass

Junior Member $17 for 1x junior member16 years and under 18 years NO car pass

2023 General Weekend Passes

Weekend Family $40 for 2 x persons over 18 years and all immediate children under 16 years

Weekend Adult $20 for 1 x persons over 18 years and all immediate children under 16 years

Weekend Junior $15 for 1 x person 16 years and under 18 years

Weekend Child $10 for 1 x child under 16 years

2023 Daily Gate Entry Adults $15 Child <16 yrs $10 Concession $10

All Prices are GST inclusive – NO refunds or transfers on membership or weekend passes.

Nsw Government Grants Give Veterans Projects

NSW Lancers’ Museum in Parramatta was today announced as one of the 74 successful applicants from across the State to receive a grant from the Anzac Community Grants Program (ACGP).

Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott visited the Museum today to see first-hand how the funding would be used and to announce more than $104,000 allocated to a range of special projects across the State.

“More than 70 NSW community groups across NSW, including schools, ex-service organisations and RSL sub-Branches, were successful in their funding bids for projects to help local communities commemorate veterans across the State,” Mr Elliott said.

“The Anzac Community Grants Program provides funding to some great projects and initiatives that supports the wellbeing of the NSW veteran community and recognises Australia’s war service