Ballina Shire Council has taken a critical step forward in delivering two new bridges to improve flood evacuation routes and remove traffic bottlenecks on crucial approaches to Ballina Island.

At a rare extraordinary meeting held today, councillors voted unanimously to authorise the General Manager to enter negotiations with the preferred contractor.

The project – known locally as the Twin Bridges upgrade – includes widening River St and Tamarind Drive to four lanes and removing the bottlenecks at Fishery Creek and the Canal.

Rising construction costs have pushed the total project cost close to $60 million – well above the $48 million initially committed by the Federal Government in early 2024.

Council’s Director of Civil Services, John Truman, told the meeting that the preferred contractor, Quickway Constructions, submitted the lowest tender and was already undertaking preliminary site work.

“We’re recommending to negotiate with one tenderer due to the price difference and the opportunity to clarify the design,” Mr Truman said. “We believe we can reach a reasonable budget position without going back to market.”

Council agreed to allow General Manager Paul Hickey to negotiate with Quickway to explore possible savings and revised scope options – but any final contract will still come back to councillors for approval.

Potential Project Changes on the Table

Several scope changes are being considered to bring the cost within budget. One includes postponing duplication of North Creek Road. Another is removing plans to build a culvert over the open drain along Tamarind Drive, instead opting to landscape the area.

“One of the options might be to delete the box culvert on Tamarind Drive,” Mr Truman said.

“We included it based on community feedback, but it could be revisited to save money.”

“Even if the drain remains open and ugly, does it matter if it does the job?” Cr Eva Ramsey asked, with staff confirming that while it isn’t attractive, its function is not in doubt.

Councillor Dr Simon Kinny asked about risks involved if negotiations failed. Mr Truman assured the council that this was unlikely.

“If, for some reason, this tenderer falls over, we can still talk to the second. But the risk of having to go back to market is very low.”

Council expects to finalise contract details and return for approval in mid-September. The bridges are expected to be completed by May 2027.

Funding Outlook

The current shortfall remains about $7.1 million. Council is awaiting confirmation of an additional $8 million in contingency funds from the National Emergency Management Agency.

“We haven’t received it in writing yet,” Mr Truman said, “but we are proceeding on the basis that it’s coming.”

The council also flagged the potential to combine parts of the bridge works contract with the previously awarded $4 million preloading contract, which has yet to commence due to the need to complete land acquisitions.