Infrastructure

The NSW Government and NRMA charging network has enabled more than 13 million zero emission kilometres – or the distance to the moon and back more than 30 times – of electric vehicle (EV) travel across the state. The impressive milestone was reached as the network continues to expand, with new chargers along the Mitchell Highway at Nyngan and Bourke and out to Brewarrina along the Kamilaroi Highway.

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority will increase the release of water from Hume Dam [Friday 11 November] morning ahead of potentially heavy rainfall from Sunday 13 November as forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology. Releases from Hume Dam will increase from 85 gigalitres (GL) per day to 95 GL per day.

Major flooding of the Murrumbidgee River at Narrandera has led to the evacuation of residents in 14 households south of town. Warnings for major flooding are still in place. Narrandera Shire Council Deputy General Manager Infrastructure Shane Wilson said ... the volume of water flowing through the river in a 24-hour period was 130,000 Ml megalitres which equated to 130,000 Olympic swimming pools as against the normal flow rate of 40 megalitres. SES volunteers are keeping a close watch on water levels and checking on residents in low lying areas.

The Woodenbong Pool and the new playground next to the pool were damaged by vandals on the weekend ... “This latest incident follows a series of incidents in Kyogle and other villages, and in particular the Kyogle pool and surrounding precinct. This increase in vandalism and destructive behaviour is of particular concern to council, and alarmingly the majority of those involved are children”: Kyogle Council general manger Graham Kennett.

The Shire of Gingin has been given a deadline to finalise a Lancelin foreshore re-development with the Albanese Government confirming it has closed a grant program, which the former government used to promise the shire funding for the project. Former Pearce MHR Christian Porter promised the Shire of Gingin $250,000 towards a redevelopment of Cunliffe St.

Work has begun to improve the health of Kanamaluka/Tamar estuary by reducing the frequency and volume of overflow events. As part of the Tamar Estuary River Health Action Plan (TERHAP), a new underground diversion chamber will be sunk deep into the ground at the Margaret Street pump station.

Infrastructure Australia has released its business case assessment of the East and West sections of the proposed upgrade of the Great Western Highway ... The Hartley Valley community has been vindicated by the Infrastructure Australia report and we are delighted the Federal Government’s infrastructure advisor has shown what a nonsense this upgrade of the East and West sections truly is.

The deluge of rain over recent weeks has stalled the start of the swimming season at Lake Talbot Water Park. The complex opened for the summer season on October 1 but the wet weather has deterred swimmers on many days ... “We’ve been closed more days than we’ve been open,” said pool manager, Troy Lee.

An 83 year old bridge has been replaced by a new concrete bridge that will last 100 years. The $2.6 million Cedar Point Bridge on Edenville Rd, near Kyogle ... is a single span concrete structure, founded on steel driven piles with greater flood immunity than the previous bridge.

The Nationals leader and member for Maranoa David Littleproud says Labor has broken the hearts of Maranoa locals in its first Budget ... "in Labor’s first Budget, Maranoa locals have been held back and left behind in three key areas - cost of living, childcare and infrastructure.

Releases from Hume Dam have today increased to 75 gigalitres (GL) per day, up from 50 GL per day yesterday in response to overnight inflows that peaked at 100 GL a day. Further increases are likely with a renewed inflow peak expected later today. Combined with inflows from the Kiewa River – downstream of Hume Dam – the Murray River is expected to approach or possibly exceed the major flood level at Albury in coming days.

A major miscalculation has put the Archer River bridge project back a year and there are fears that Cape residents could face at least two more wet seasons without it. What’s worse, there is also some concern that unfinished civil works on the roads around the Archer River Roadhouse could cut off motorists for months when the rain arrives.

Sarah Martin. It was a hot and frustrating week for Cape York residents and Ergon Energy crews, with record temperatures and multiple power outages impacting the region. At Weipa, the mercury hit 40 degrees on Saturday for the first time in recorded history, with gauges measuring 40.4 at both the airport and RAAF Scherger.

Cook Shire Council is pleased to announce that with repairs to the approach ramps of the Marton Swing Bridge coming to completion, the bridge is scheduled to reopen in coming days – ahead of the approaching wet season.

Cairns Private Hospital has announced an $18 million expansion, including the development of two new theatres, to cater for the demand for leading private health care in the region. Construction is due to begin next month with the first new theatre to be operational in mid-2024. The expansion will also include a new state-of-the-art sterilising department.

The Hartley District Progress Association (HDPA) and the community of Hartley welcome the Federal Government’s decision to pause funding on the NSW State Government’s proposed Great Western Highway “upgrade” from Katoomba to Lithgow. Stopping the “upgrade” provides a critical opportunity to reconsider how best to improve travel times across the Blue Mountains and how best to direct infrastructure funding.

Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg and Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier Gurmesh Singh have opened the new Keerrong Road Bridge ... specialist Bridge Crew replaced the damaged culvert with a new 16.1m x 7.2m single span concrete structure. This new structure founded on steel driven piles has been designed and constructed to achieve a 100-year design life while improving its flood immunity and safety for local farmers and truck drivers.