Federal Drive, located in the shire’s hinterland, reopened last Friday, two-and-a-half years after it was severely damaged from a landslip during the 2022 floods.
In March, The Echo reported on the impacts on residents and local business after the two years of losing road access from the village of Federal to Goonengerry.
Council staff said at the time they were aiming for completion at the end of April, dependent on weather.
$23 million project
In a media release this week by local federal Labor MP, Justine Elliot, she says the $23 million project was jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
She said, ‘I’d like to commend Council staff and contractors who have worked tirelessly on this project through multiple challenges in securing materials and continual wet weather on this achievement’.
Byron Shire Mayor, Michael Lyon, said, ‘We thank the residents for their continued patience’.
‘We know it hasn’t been easy having to take detours for the last two-and-a-half years’.
NSW Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib said, ‘The NSW and Australian governments are supporting the recovery effort in the Northern Rivers with significant investment in infrastructure projects across the region’.
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