A new bridge has opened on Sugar Glider Road, the first of 12 bridges in the Kyogle Council area being funded under the Minns Labor Government’s Regional Road Fund (RRF).  

The new concrete and steel bridge on Sugar Glider Road replaces an old steel and timber bridge that had deteriorated badly.  

The council was granted $670,000 for the new bridge, which took nine weeks to build.

In total, the Regional Road Fund (RRF) has allocated $12 million to Kyogle Council for 12 bridges.   

Seven of the RRF-funded bridges are forecast to be opened in 2025, and a further four in the 2026 calendar year.  

The Minns Labor Government established the Regional Road Fund (RRF) to build new roads and roundabouts, replace or repair old bridges and improve safety at crash blackspots in rural and regional areas.    

Funding under the RRF was provided to councils in line with election commitments.   

To date, $236.4 million has been allocated to councils under the RRF for work on Local and Regional Roads and to Transport for NSW for State Road commitments.   

In the Kyogle Council area the bridges being funded under the RRF are:  

• Sugar Glider Road Bridge  
• Paddys Flat Road, Upper Tooloom  
• Williams Road, Birney Bridge  
• Clarence Way, Culmaran Creek Bridge No. I  
• Clarence Way, Culmaran Creek Bridge No. 2  
• Clarence Way, Ryans Bridge  
• Gradys Creek Road, Methvens Bridge  
• Gradys Creek Road, Cedargetters Bridge  
• Gorge Creek Road, Ashley Gordons  
• Horseshoe Creek Road, Horseshoe Creek Bridge No. 2  
• Iron Pot Creek Road, Benns Bridge  
• Iron Pot Creek Road, Montgomerys Bridge

Kyogle Council also received $4 million in flood immunity funding under the RRF towards a $27 million upgrade of Clarence Way, which is already underway. More details here: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/system/files/media/documents/2024/Get-ready-for-a-more-resilient-Clarence-Way.pdf 

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said, "Bridges are vital to regional communities, keeping them connected to services and markets and ensuring access in times of emergency.  

"That is why we have allocated $12 million under the Regional Road Fund to bridges in the Kyogle Council area, because the fund is designed to support priority projects that are important to the community.  

"The Sugar Glider Road bridge is another example of the Minns Labor Government partnering with local government to improve critical local infrastructure and improve safety at crash blackspots in rural and regional areas."

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said, “I’m proud to be delivering on one of my key election commitments for the Kyogle Local Government Area – a $12-million package to replace 12 aging timber bridges identified by Kyogle Council as needing renewal.

“Sugar Glider Road bridge, north-east of Kyogle, is the first of these projects to be completed and will mean less maintenance burden on the council and greater efficiency for local farmers needing to get produce to market or goods into their properties.

“I look forward to celebrating more milestones and as the remaining 11 new bridges come online throughout next year and 2026.”

Mayor of Kyogle Council Danielle Mulholland said, "The state of the steel girders and timber decking on the old bridge was grim so the new bridge will be very much appreciated by locals and the travelling public alike. 

"Thanks to the NSW Government, it is wonderful to welcome the Sugar Glider Road bridge as the latest in our suite of new bridges that are part of council’s wider bridge renewal program.  

"I would also like to acknowledge and thank our communities for their patience whilst the works are undertaken."