Restoring access: Nigel Saunders and Rob Green of Green Construction Management with the new bridge recently installed on Gearys Flat Road, near Rollands Plains in Kippara State Forest.
Road access has been improved in State forests over the past two years under the largest ever infrastructure program rolled out across the NSW State Forest estate. Source: Timberbiz
The $60-million Forest Infrastructure Repair Program (FIRP), undertaken by Forestry Corporation, has now seen 160 road, bridge and culvert projects planned, constructed and completed in State forests since 2022.
Forest Infrastructure Project Supervisor Peter Walsh said a further 60 projects are currently operational and a further 54 are in planning stages across the state.
Mr Walsh said the fund has improved public and emergency firefighting access in State forests and generated regional returns through public infrastructure investment for local communities.
“Restoring and improving vehicle access to the forest estate has been a major focus for Forestry Corporation with these major works creating regional employment and adding significantly to regional economies,” he said.
Laurieton-based company Green Construction Management is completing one of the latest projects on the Mid North Coast.
The firm has overseen the installation of a concrete bridge on Geary’s Flat Road in Kippara State Forest, north-west of Wauchope, and is now undertaking road widening works.
“The great thing about the projects is they allow contractors completing the work to source all of the labour and supplies from the local area,” owner operator Rob Green said.
“When you look at this project, we have replaced a damaged old timber bridge no longer fit for traffic with a new precast concrete structure that carries a life span of around 100 years,” he said.
Across NSW, Forestry Corporation maintains a 60,000km road and fire trail network that complements the public road network providing access for community use, forest management and fire protection.
After years of significant weather damage, a statewide audit found more than half of the State forest road network was in areas heavily impacted by flooding.
Consecutive weather events damaged between 10,000 and 50,000 kilometres of forest roads.
This prompted the NSW Government in 2022 to provide $60 million in funding spread over three years to fix flood-damaged roads, bridges and culverts and restore vehicle access for the wider community.
To find out more about the Forest Infrastructure Repair Program go to www.forestrycorporation.com.au
