Bangalow Weir upgrade kicks off

Works at the popular Bangalow Weir and pool are underway and re-elected Byron shire mayor Simon Richardson is excited by its new lease of life.

Byron Shire Council and the community, Cr Richardson said, were truly excited about the progress with rehabilitation works ‘looking fantastic’.

‘The once failing piece of village infrastructure is being bought back to life and sympathetically links the heritage, social and environmental values of the central, much loved place,’ he said.

‘In working with the community, we’ve managed to keep key design elements such as old swimming platform, used rocks to reinforce the side walls and created rock pools that support fish habitat and the local platypus population.

‘I have no doubt that generations of locals and visitors will enjoy and create many new memories through picnics and family celebrations at this wonderful park ,’ he said.

The Bangalow Weir was funded through a $100,000 grant from the state government’s NSW Environmental Trust’s Restoration and Rehabilitation Program and $76,000 from Byron Shire Council.

Council’s infrastructure services director, Phil Holloway, said the project has also seen countless volunteer hours of support by the Bangalow Parkland Group.

‘Our community group is passionate and their connection to the site has ensured we have arrived at the very best outcome,’ Mr Holloway said.

‘With their support and the donation of unwanted rocks by nearby landowners, we’re hopeful that we will come in under budget on the project and be able to spend the additional funds painting the bridge or landscaping works.

‘We’d like to thank the Bangalow Parkland Group and the community in working with Council on this project.  It has been very rewarding on many levels,’ he said.