The reconstruction of a bridge destroyed in last year's horror bushfires will begin on Wednesday.
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The tiny community of Wytaliba was cut off from supplies after the destruction of the Mann River bridge in the Black Summer bushfires.
The bridge, which is the only crossing for the village, is also used by farming communities including in the Newton Boyd area.
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Glen Innes Severn Council voted in July to spend $1,365,338.21 constructing a stronger, higher structure, able to withstand a one-in-50-year flood. Works begin this week.
Mayor Carol Sparks, herself a resident of Wytaliba, said the new bridge would be fireproof too.
Cr Sparks lost her own house damaged in last year's bushfire. She said a new bridge would be a milestone for the tiny community recovering from the Kangawalla bushfire, which claimed two lives and over 50 homes.
"Things are getting better. It's a great thing."
Cr Sparks said even concrete elements of the old bridge had succumbed to last year's towering inferno.
"It was the wear and tear on the old bridge, with some of the pockets and gaps in the cement and some of the wooden sections, that combusted in the fire," she said.
"I think it was just old and vulnerable."
She said it would also be of benefit for tourists travelling to the popular National Parks and reserves surrounding the river.
The replacement bridge is scheduled to be completed within six months.
A series of quick-fix ford replacements, installed by Glen Innes Severn Council, washed out on no less than six occasions due to massive floods, leaving the isolated community cut off for weeks in early 2020.
Wytaliba was resupplied food and basic supplies by a flying fox installed with the help of an army drone in February.
The Glen Innes council resolved to build the new structure higher than the old, to take into account the likely higher future floods caused by climate change.
State government's National Bushfire Recovery Agency funded the upgrade, which includes over $600,000 for approaches to the bridge.
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
