A tiny bushfire-affected New England village that was repeatedly cut off from help by flood waters earlier this year could get a new flood-proof bridge finished by January.
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Much of Wytaliba was destroyed in just hours by an out-of-control bushfire in November last year. The town bridge collapsed after it was set alight by the deadly Kangawalla blaze.
But bridge reconstruction will be one step closer later this week, with Glen Innes Severn councillors set to consider 11 tenders for the new Mann River bridge on Thursday.
In a report that will go to councillors at their monthly meeting on Thursday, council staff recommend adopting one of the cheaper tenders.
The firm would do the job by January 31 next year for just $1,365,338.21 but the bridge would be built to overcome a one-in-50-year flood.
Report author Sam Price, the Glen Innes Manager of Infrastructure Delivery, said the tender stood out because of their "very low price, extensive experience in the construction of very similar projects and the quality of feedback provided by the referees".
"Option 1 has all plant and staff to perform the work, and will also fabricate their own precast concrete elements, enabling the project to be completed without the reliance on subcontractors for key equipment," the report says.
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The upgrade, if approved, would be funded by Transport for New South Wales under the Essential Public Asset Reconstruction Agreement.
The budget leaves room for a budget of $601,643.72 on the construction of approaches to the crossing.
Council General Manager Craig Bennett said the project shows the council is committed to building back better.
"Obviously we're trying to make the bridge more structurally sound than what it was before," he said.
"There's no doubt we're definitely trying to make sure that the Wytaliba community can get back on their feet."
Wytaliba was resupplied food and basic supplies by a flying fox installed with the help of an army drone at one point in February.
A series of quick-fix fords installed by Glen Innes Severn Council washed out on no less than six occasions, leaving the isolated community out of touch from help for weeks.
Andrew Messenger
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
