It was good news for Lismore’s roads and bridges today, with Bentley, Terania Creek, Rock Valley, Eggins Lane and Goonellabah Industrial Estate all set for major infrastructure upgrades.

Page MP Kevin Hogan today announced over $3.5 million in Federal Government funding for Lismore City Council to deliver “priority infrastructure projects”.

On the important funding to do list is:

$2,000,000 to upgrade access to the Goonellabah Industrial Precinct with an Oliver Avenue link road.

$594,100 to replace the Town Road bridge at Terania Creek.

$560,000 for renewal of the Bungabee Bridge at Bentley, involving raising the level of the bridge, improving flood immunity, sightlines, gradient and alignment.

$447,570 to reconstruct South Western part of Eggins Lane in Lismore with power and storm water infrastructure. 

$186,500 to reconstruct pavement along Rock Valley road, Rock Valley.

Mr Hogan said in total, $9.7 million would be shared across local councils in the electorate “ to support jobs and help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic”.

“These projects range from roads, to bridges, and upgrades to important community facilities,” Mr Hogan said. “This package will deliver opportunities for locals to be employed and businesses to benefit by providing materials and services.”

“Every single job we support makes a huge difference in our community.”

“Not only will this package support jobs, construction businesses and the economy, it will improve our local roads and provide for new and upgraded amenities to help communities stay connected.”

Projects have been funded through the Local Roads Community Infrastructure program, Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grants, Heavy Vehicle Program or the Bridges Renewal Program.

Link road 

Lismore Mayor Isaac Smith said the Oliver Avenue link road in he Goonellabah Industrial Precinct has been on the cards for years.

“There’s been a link road planned around Lismore to get people out of town - for close to 30 years,” he said. “It’s an expensive venture and up till now it has not been feasible. 

“But targeted roads like this one on Pineapple Road with links to the industrial estate will be useful because we need a flood-free way for trucks to get in and out of the industrial area without going through residential areas like Holland Street.

“There have been concerns about it because it runs down past houses, but if you look at the houses on Pineapple Road, the road is about 15 metres wide. It has been made for trucks and all of those houses don’t face that road – it was intentionally made to be a link road.

“It’s already been years talking about it and there is still talk ahead - because it is a big project.

“This $2million funding will get us started and we have to scope it first. We don’t know what it’s going to buy yet, but I believe it will open up industrial land and get us a bit more space on the road.”

Funding

Mr Smith said the Federal Government funding was much appreciated by Lismore.

“Council, State and Federal Government all share expenses in this infrastructure - one third each,” he said. “But local government only collects 4% of taxes,” he said.

“We want to get road crews working as soon as possible and will begin in a couple of weeks, with some projects like the link road beginning next year.

“I look forward to the good feedback on social media.”

A part of the funding was also $145,000 for the Shine Festival, announced recently.

The event is a one week tourism focused event to re-illuminate the region's 'shine' attracting visitors and reigniting tourism in the region. The program will include streetscape illuminations, visual art show of indigenous storytelling, live multimedia art exhibitions and a live sculpture walk.