Work crews are continuing to upgrade sections of Clarence Way.

A pavement upgrade on the Medhurst Quarry section of the road south of Bonalbo has started and will be ongoing for the next three weeks.

Another crew working on Clarence Way north of Bonalbo has finished sealing a section of the road, with line-marking still to completed.

Both jobs are expected to be finalised in May.

Meanwhile, planning work has started on an upcoming project to upgrade of another 3.4kms of the Clarence Way between Bonalbo and Urbenville. Council has received a $5 million grant through the Australian Government’s Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program to undertake the work, which will include improvements to drainage, replacement of culverts, and upgrades to the pavement and ride quality of three separate sections the road.

Grading crews are currently working on Bolans Road and Hootons Road, and roadside slashing is occurring on Kyogle, Williams and Findon Creek roads.

Pothole patching is happening on the Summerland Way and Gradys Creek Road.

The new Montgomerys Bridge on Iron Pot Creek Road is starting to take shape, with work to start soon on constructing the headstock. The expected completion date for the bridge is the end of August, weather permitting.

Preparatory works are continuing for the new Methvens Bridge on Gradys Creek Road, with construction of the side track still in progress.

Repairs to the final landslip on Lions Road caused by the 2022 floods are in progress, as are repairs to Lions Road. Lions Road was re-opened under traffic control on Tuesday.  Motorists are reminded that the Lions Road is a scenic drive, not a main road, and should not be used by caravans or other heavy traffic.

Once repairs to the final section of Lions Road are completed, the road rehabilitation crew will move on to Gradys Creek Road, with the repair sites under traffic control.

Council continues to monitor the landslip on Iron Pot Creek Road, while work on the Forest Road landslip is progressing  and repair work has started on a landslip on Horseshoe Creek Road.

Work on Summerland Way at The Risk and 1.5km south of the Queensland border is continuing.

A draft $64.5 million budget that provides almost $10 million for roads and bridges and another $3 million for town and village streets has been adopted by Kyogle Council for public comment.

The draft budget also includes $2 million this year and another $3 million in the forward estimates so Council can fast track its watermains replacement program in response to ongoing issues with ageing infrastructure.

Kyogle Council Mayor Cr Danielle Mulholland said the draft budget was aimed at strengthening essential services, supporting emerging needs, and positioning the community for the future.

She said Council had worked hard to ensure the draft budget was responsible while still delivering the services and projects the community needed now and into the future.

“By releasing this draft budget for public comment, we’re inviting residents to provide feedback, Cr Mulholland said.

“Their feedback is essential in shaping a final budget that reflects what matters most to our community.”

The draft budget provides $3.948 million for regional road projects including $2 million for the Clarence Way this year and a further $3 million in the forward estimates, $4.257 million for rural local roads, and $1.635 million for bridge renewals.

The draft budget also provides $7 million this year and $17 million in the forward estimates to build a new sewerage treatment plant for Kyogle.

“Council is laying the groundwork for the future with this draft budget,” Cr Mulholland said.

“Council wants to secure a future where our infrastructure keeps pace with community needs and where the Kyogle LGA continues to attract people seeking both lifestyle and opportunity.”

The draft budget also sets aside:

• $1.793 million for landfill improvements and quarry rehabilitation works
• $187,146 in financial assistance and community donations
• $614,285 for the library and mobile library
• $1.013 million parks, gardens and village maintenance
• $946,191 for the operation of Council’s three public pools
• $992,300 for community and cultural services which includes the Roxy Gallery, the Visitor Information Centre and community services

The draft budget includes a 4.4 percent State Government-pegged general rate increase, plus increases of 4 per cent for domestic waste charges, 7 per cent for water charges and 6 per cent for sewer charges.

The draft budget is on display for public comment until 4pm 12 May 2026. Copies of the budget can be found at Council’s administration centre at 1 Stratheden Street, Kyogle, on Council’s website here, or at Wadeville store, Woodenbong Post Office, Tabulam Post Office, Cawongla store, Mallanganee Post Office, Wiangaree Post Office, and Bonalbo Post Office.

Written submissions will be accepted until 4pm 12 May 2026 and should be sent to the General Manager, PO Box 11, Kyogle, NSW 2474 or to council@kyogle.nsw.gov.au.

Mallanganee’s one-of-a-kind observatory that frames spectacular views of the constellations by night and the rolling green hills and mountain ranges of the Northern Rivers by day has opened to the public.

Situated at the top of the Richmond Range, the observatory features an armillary-like sphere built out of galvanised steel and pre-cast concrete.

The semi-enclosed design provides the perfect vantage point to take in views across the Richmond Range and beyond to the Border Ranges and Wollumbin.

At night, the dark sky and the observatory’s position on the precise latitude the centre of the Milky Way arcs directly overhead every day,  means the celestial views are breathtaking.

Kyogle Council Mayor Danielle Mulholland said the idea for the observatory had originally come from a member of the Mallanganee community and had been incorporated into the Mallanganee village master plan.

“The observatory is positioned to increase tourism to the area and cultivate Mallanganee’s standing as a destination for visitors seeking genuine nature‑based experiences, Cr Mulholland said.

“With growing interest in dark/night‑sky tourism across Australia, we are looking forward to an increase in visitor numbers.

“A tourism boost will bring real benefits not just to Mallanganee but also to its neighbouring West of the Range villages.”

The $3.34 million observatory project also included the construction of a new amenities block, upgrades to sections of Bulmers and Lookout roads, and construction of internal paths. While the observatory is now open to the public, some areas of the site have yet to be re-grassed and remained cordoned off.

Construction of the observatory was supported by a $2.067 million Regional Tourism Innovation Fund grant from the NSW Government, with Council contributing the remaining funds.

Council is celebrating a successful $5 million Australian Government funding application which will deliver the upgrade of another 3.4km of the Clarence Way.

Council received the $5 million through the Australian Government’s Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program, further strengthening the existing $47.2 million Clarence Way Upgrade Project between Sandilands and Urbenville.

Council will add $1.25 million to the $5 million to upgrade additional sections of the road between Bonalbo and Urbenville.

The works will involve improving drainage, replacement of culverts, widening the pavement to a consistent 7m wide bitumen sprayed seal, pavement strengthening, ride quality improvement, line marking, signage and delineation on a 2.4 km section of Clarence Way between Murphys Road and Mills Road at Bean Creek and another 1km section south of the Yabbra Scrub.

Kyogle Council Mayor Cr Danielle Mulholland described the funding announcement as incredible news and a wonderful outcome for Clarence Way communities and motorists alike.

“This is the result of some hard work and relentless lobbying, and we are excited to finally be able to put a tick in that box,” Cr Mulholland said.

“There will still be some work to do on the Clarence Way, but Council is committed to lobbying for sufficient funds to finalise the Clarence Way Project. It will provide residents with improved access and also potentially provide an alternate freight route by connecting Grafton through to Queensland.

“Congratulations to the staff and contractors who have undertaken the work on the Clarence Way to date, and a huge thank you to residents who have waited so patiently for this road to be upgraded.

“Council would like to thank the Australian Government for this funding and Member for Page, Kevin Hogan MP for making representations on our behalf.”

Bonalbo -based Councillor Tom Cooper echoed the Mayor saying it was fantastic news that  came on the back of the good work already done on Clarence Way by Council.

“Good roads lead to efficiencies in transport, and with the high cost of fuel now it’s more important than ever that our roads are as good as we can possibly make them for efficient travel,” he said.

Work on the additional 3.4km is expected to start in early 2027. Council is actively seeking further funding under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program to complete the upgrade of the full length of the Clarence Way.

To stream today’s Council meeting, follow this link to the Agenda and Minutes page and click on the video icon next to the 10 November Meeting event.