Community consultation in Wingham will roll-out after school holidays, Easter and Anzac Day giving the 10,000 motorists who use the bridge on a daily basis, and those who live in and around the Wingham area, an opportunity to talk about the future they envisage for the Cedar Party Creek bridge.

The format for the consultation process has been informed by an informal reference group made up of representatives across a range of Wingham business and interest groups, who were engaged by council earlier this month.

“Bridge design can be technical, but in this case the level of complexity is significantly increased as it is not only the visual gateway to Wingham, the location of the current bridge is in between a rail crossing and a problematic intersection into Wingham’s CBD,” Phil Miles, MidCoast Council’s manager, projects and engineering, said.

“Add to that the sheer number of options that have been explored and it becomes very apparent we need a consultation process that allows community members the opportunity for in-depth, face-to-face discussions.”

Consultation sessions will be held in the CWA rooms in Isabella Street in Wingham, from 12pm to 6pm on Thursday April 27 and Friday 28, from 8am to 12pm on Saturday April 29, and then from 7am through to midday on Monday May 1, Tuesday May 2 and Wednesday May 3.

At the ‘pop-up’ consultation, attendees will be guided through eight different bridge replacement options, looking at the various pro’s and con’s for each option.

“We’re confident there are two options that not only offer technically sound solutions, but that tick the boxes required to ensure construction-funding is achievable in the future”, Phil added.

Considerations high on the agenda for government funding include the ability to cater for freight, and improvement to raise the structure above the current 1 in 100 year flood level.  

“But it’s the day-to-day things, like an improved flow of traffic through the intersection off the bridge, visual appeal, and the impact on traffic through the construction phase that matter, and these are the conversations we’ll be having with community members who pop-in during the consultation phase”, Phil said.

This initial design and consultation process has been made possible through a $350,000 Restart NSW grant that MidCoast Council was awarded last year.

“While the cost to construct the bridge will need to come through a separate funding application, the NSW Government has shown they’re serious about funding a replacement bridge”, Phil said.

“A shovel-ready option that has community endorsement will put us in the best possible position for future construction grant funding”.

Constructed in the early 1960’s, the ageing timber structure is nearing the end of its serviceable life. To gain an in-depth understanding of the project and options under consideration, and to have your say, visit the Cedar Party Creek Bridge pop-up consultation, April 27 to May 3, and complete a short survey.

“To reach as many people as possible, and gain as much feedback as we can, a video replicating the consultation experience and the survey will be made available on our website”, Phil said.

An information sheet has been developed in response to community interest in this project in preparation for more detailed discussions around these topics at the pop-up consultation.

For more information and to stay updated, visit www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/cedarpartycreekbridge.