The South Golden Beach Community Association (SGBCA) and locals are calling on Byron Shire Council (BSC) to include the repair of the Helen Street Bridge in their operational plan for the next financial year.
They say ongoing neglect by BSC has led to the bridge being at risk of closure due to resulting deterioration.
‘A SGBCA representative went to the recent Place Plan and budget meeting and was informed that the much-needed repairs on the bridge are not in the operational plan for this year and may not be in the 2026-27 plan. Staff indicated that if the bridge continues to deteriorate, it may be closed,’ local resident Maggie Smith told The Echo.
‘This footbridge was such a good idea,’ another local said. ‘It makes it possible for a whole huge catchment area across the canal in North Ocean Shores and South Golden Beach (SGB) to actually walk to the beach away from busy roads. My teenage daughter and her friends, who can’t drive, use it all the time.’
Angela Dunlop, Secretary of the SGBCA said, ‘We fought for 14 years to get the Helen Street Bridge built. In 2009, we asked experienced, retired bridge engineer, Tony Baggio, for help and he generously provided an excellent affordable design pro bono thereby saving Council many thousands of dollars. We handed Council a total design and certification package with costings. They just had to put it out to tender and choose a builder. Unfortunately, many of the timbers that were used were sub-standard, and Tony’s inspections of the bridge prior to completion in 2010 revealed many construction faults including timbers with large cracks which should have been rejected by the project manager.
‘Since then, we have been trying to get Council to correct the faults and replace the substandard materials. Little has been done other than to cover rotting timbers with metal plates.
Key infrastructure for local community
The Helen Street Bridge was identified as point five on the place plan actions for the New Brighton, South Golden Beach and Ocean Shores 20-year vision place plan adopted by BSC in October 2025.
Multiple people have contacted The Echo to highlight the important role the bridge plays for everyone in the local community from teenagers, kids and parents on the school run, to parents with prams, to the elderly.
‘From both a physical and social perspective this bridge is a huge asset for our community,’ said Ms Dunlop.
‘It has improved social connectivity and fostered a stronger community spirit. This asset should have been protected and maintained by Council staff as a priority. Unfortunately, this is another example of Council abrogating its responsibility to maintain our Shire’s precious infrastructure.’
‘I remember what it was like when there wasn’t one, it sucked,’ said Ms Brown.
‘So Council is happy to spend big on parking spaces with garden beds in every other locality but not on this infrastructure which is an integral part of our community and lifestyle?’
You can make your voice heard on the importance of funding repairs to the Helen Street Bridge by going to https://yoursay.byron.nsw.
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