Junction Island Bridge & Footpath to re-open Saturday 29 June 2024
Wentworth Shire Council is pleased to announce the long-awaited re-opening of the Junction Island Bridge and footpath on Saturday 29 June 2024. This milestone arrives just in time for the Wentworth Junction Rally on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July, an iconic event Council has supported since its inception in 1992. The rally has not been held since 2017 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and floods, making the 2024 event a significant occasion for the community.
Wentworth Shire Council extends its gratitude to the Department of Regional NSW for funding this project. Additionally, Council acknowledges the unwavering support and dedication of the Great Murray Darling Junction Interpretative Facility Inc members, whose efforts have been instrumental in bringing this vision to life over the years.
The new bridge and footpath significantly improves the accessibility to Junction Island, allowing residents and visitors to explore this unique natural environment once again. Spanning over 1,100 metres, the footpath features informative signage that highlights the rich ecological and cultural significance of Junction Island. This development not only promotes outdoor recreation but also stands as a major drawcard for Wentworth tourism, encouraging people to reconnect with nature.
Councillor Daniel Linklater, Mayor of Wentworth Shire Council, stated, “The re-opening of the Junction Island Bridge and footpath is a great outcome for our community. This project not only restores access to one of our region’s most stunning natural treasures but also re-establishes a major tourist attraction that will invigorate our local economy. We are thrilled to welcome visitors back to experience the beauty and rich cultural heritage of Junction Island. This is a proud moment for Wentworth Shire, and we can’t wait for everyone to enjoy what this amazing landmark has to offer.”
Council invites everyone to join in celebrating this remarkable achievement and to experience the beauty and tranquillity of Junction Island firsthand.
Junction Island re-opens
One of Wentworth’s biggest tourism attractions, Junction Island, is again opened to the public.
A fire on the island in April 2021 forced its closure until it could be declared safe.
Following an arborist’s inspection, which identified several safety hazards preventing the early re-opening of the Island, and remedial works by Wentworth Shire Council’s Parks and Gardens team the popular Murray Darling Junction spot can now be accessed by locals and visitors.
Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Tim Elstone said it was great to see Junction Island be accessible once again.
“Junction Island forms a large part of the identity of Wentworth, both the town and the wider Shire, and having it closed really robbed us of one of the jewels in our crown,” Cr Elstone said.
“I am glad to see it re-opened and I encourage locals and visitors alike to take a trek across and re-acquaint themselves with the Island and its surrounds.”
In further good news for Junction Island planning is well under way for the replacement of the existing bridge to the Island. The new bridge will also be able to accommodate light service vehicles which may be required on the island for minor maintenance.
Buronga Pump Track project update
Works commenced last week on the construction of a new sealed Pump Track at the Buronga Riverfront, west of the George Chaffey Bridge near the Discovery Caravan Park.
The track will be around 150m in length and will create an environment for the community to enjoy, whilst challenging their varying levels of skill through rollers and berms.
The project is funded under the Local Roads & Community Infrastructure Program and will be completed in December 2021.
Dareton Travellers Rest project update
Wentworth Shire Council and Dareton Community Action Team (CAT) have worked together to provide the town a new Traveller’ Rest, which is now nearing completion.
The project will provide a permanent memorial with names to commemorate those from the Dareton and Coomealla District who served their country in wartime.
With the town’s existing Anzac Memorial site unsuitable for the listing of names a new site in Tapio Park was chosen as an extension of the registered war memorial site.
Works were planned by Council in conjunction with the CAT and the Coomealla Memorial Sporting CLub.
The CAT proposed the construction of the Travellers Rest pergola, interpretive panels, new granite war memorial and associated pathways and have been successful in securing funds from the club as well as further government funding to complete the project.
Local historian and author Malcolm Williams provided the story and images to be used on the panels.
Works on stage one of the project will be completed by Christmas with placement of the new granite memorial expected to be completed in January 2022.
Buronga Nature Play Area works ongoing
Construction of a new Nature Play Area is underway at Buronga.
Nature-themed equipment in the play area includes rope play structures, scaling ropes and a fort and slide structure.
On top of the playground equipment construction will include picnic tables with a river view, public seating and benches, shade structures, a new car park area including bollard fencing, landscaping, vegetation, grassed area, irrigation, bins and timber elements.
Part of the project also encompasses the rationalisation of paths through the eastern and western sides of the George Chaffey Bridge.
Works on the project commenced in early 2021 with the general landscaping components to be finished by the end of May.
The shade structure and playground equipment will be completed by the end of July.
See below for progress photos from April 2021