Timber Bridge Replacement

Four timber bridges have been replaced under the “Timber Bridges Partnership Program”. One of the bridges is on South West Rocks Road at Spencers Creek and three are on the Armidale Road between Kempsey and Bellbrook at Mungay Creek, Devils Nook Creek and Nulla Nulla Creek. Three of the bridges have been opened to traffic with the Nulla Nulla Creek bridge expected to be completed by 13 August. The bridges and approaches are expected to cost $6.75M with Council’s share being $3.95M. The program has replaced four substandard one lane timber bridges with two lane concrete structures, greatly improving safety for the travelling public. The new structures will also eliminate the need for expensive maintenance of the old timber structures.

Old Nook Creek Bridge	New Nook Creek Bridge
Old and New Nulla Nulla Creek Bridge	New Mungay Creek Bridge

Elbow Street

Elbow Street Stage 2 is currently being reconstructed under the “Roads to Recovery Program” at an estimated cost of $408,000. The work will extend the centre parking installed in Stage 1 and provide an additional pedestrian crossing refuge. More trees will also be planted in the centre of the road to soften the streetscape. The footpath fronting the new Police Station has been replaced in exposed aggregate concrete. The works have been undertaken to coincide with the completion of the Police Station. Final surfacing and linemarking is expected to be completed by 13 August.

South West Rocks Water Recycling Plant

The South West Rocks Water Recycling Plant is nearing completion. It is hoped that the plant will be commissioned in August 2010 with the first recycled water due to be delivered to early 2011.

The Water Recycling Plant will provide the community with the means to minimise potable water consumption while maximising water availability. Recycled water will be employed for golf course irrigation, sporting field irrigation and dual reticulation to residential households for toilet flushing, washing machine (cold water tape only) and outdoor use.

Once operational, the WRP will provide the benefits of a reduced wastewater discharges to the environment, reduced customer water bills, a reduced demand on groundwater supplies, an efficient use of existing infrastructure and a greater security of water supplies for South West Rocks.

All in all, this scheme will bring benefits to not only Council, but to the community and the local environment.

The newly constructed water recycling plant at South West Rocks.

Some of the water treatment equipment under construction in the new water recycling Plant.