Improvement works to a causeway to prevent future flooding and road closure has been met with delight by the Baradine community.

The Warrumbungle Shire Council has indicated that it will start the upgrade to the causeway known as Maganns Crossing on the Baradine Road next year.

Works have been earmarked to get underway after Christmas with the amount of $525,000 allocated from Local Roads and Infrastructure Phase 4 funding included in the 2024/2025 Operational Plan.

“The purpose of the project is to replace the low-level causeway at Maganns Crossing with a waterway structure that provides uninterrupted vehicle access during periods of moderate to heavy rainfall,” said a council spokesperson.

“The proposed waterway structure at Maganns Crossing is in a separate catchment to the one that impacts flooding in the town. That is, there is no relationship between the proposed waterway structure at Maganns Crossing and town flooding,”

Baradine & District Progress Association president, Ted Hayman says that the project has been a long time in coming.

“Following the construction of the bridge over Bugaldie Creek back in 2006 it is the only remaining section of the Baradine to Coonabarabran Road that prevents all weather access to and from the town, which creates a significant risk in case of an emergency and frustration from residents,” he said.

“Over the years, this main access road has been closed multiple times, making the town inaccessible, disrupting medical and education services, as well impacting commercial and work activities.

“Appropriate flood draining and road improvements at Magann’s will eliminate these problems. It will also help the Shire by vastly reducing constant road maintenance costs at this site.

“Our Association has lodged budget submissions for this project every year for more than ten years, so we are very happy that the work will get underway in the near future.

“Our thanks go to Cr Denis Todd for his constant support and commitment to our town and in supporting this project through to a satisfactory conclusion.”