The majority of the road network in the hinterland behind Mullumbimby has re-opened, allowing hundreds of people to access their homes and others who to finally get into Mullum for supplies and support.
But considerable work remains on a number of key roads and bridges, including Englishes Bridge in Upper Coopers Creek and a section of Huonbrook Road which has been impacted by multiple landslides.
‘Survey control points are being established for slips at Huonbrook and Federal to monitor any potential ongoing movement,’ a Council spokesperson said.
‘Geotechnical test-drilling will start this week and Council will secure drilling services to move on to Federal and other slips systematically.’
The spokesperson said Council was expecting to have contractors onsite at Englishes Bridge early this week to start work on a temporary access.
Meanwhile, in Main Arm, work has started on restoring access at Williams Bridge with Council hoping to have the works completed in the next few weeks.
Speaking at last week’s Council meeting Deputy Mayor Sarah Ndiaye said the Council had been asking for the rebuilt roads and bridges to be better than before.
‘I know we’ve been asking for the disaster recovery funding to not be linked to like for like projects but for projects to be better so the same thing doesn’t happen again,’ Cr Ndiaye said.
The Council’s General Manager, Mark Arnold, said that Council had received a positive response it put this to the NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Sam Farraway.
‘It was acknowledged that with bridges and causeways lifting a bridge a metre might make a difference,’ Mr Arnold said.
‘We took away from the meeting, that the minister who currently sits in that seat is of the same thinking as we are.’
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