THE crossing at the Euronne Gully west of Coonamble is undergoing some serious improvements, as the installation of $800,000 of box culverts is well underway to replace the sealed causeway.

Euronne Gully is located 11.5 kilometres from Coonamble on the Quambone Road and the improvements have long been called for by Quambone area residents due to repeated Quambone Road closures during wet seasons, most recently during the floods throughout 2022. 

Coonamble Shire Council's Acting Executive Leader - Infrastructure Dirk Jol said the Euronne Gully culverts are progressing well. 

"There are three culverts being installed, measuring 1800mm x 1700mm x 750mm. The culverts will be concreted within the next few days and are now past the point of no return - even if it does pour rain, the water will go straight through the culverts," Mr Jol said. 

"By installing the culverts at Euronne Gully, the Quambone Road will now be flood proof. Before the culverts, rain events upwards of 25millimetres would close the Quambone Road.

"The culverts are expected to be completed by the end of February". 

NSW State Emergency Service and Rural Fire Service Captain for Quambone Division Cindy Delaney said the installation of the culverts will save peoples lives. 

"There were many times throughout the floods where the RFS and SES had to sit with sick patients whilst they waited for long periods for ambulance services to arrive. Quambone residents couldn't get to their doctors appointments, and this was especially concerning for our elderly residents," Ms Delaney said. 

"Once the culverts are installed, they will be a lifesaver for our community."

ABOVE: Culverts are being installed at Euronne Gully to ensure the Quambone Road does not have any more road closures, following the 2022 floods. PHOTO: Coonamble Times.

Rural resident, Rheanna Rae travels constantly between Coonamble and Quambone. Her two children travel on the Quambone bus to attend the Coonamble Preschool and Coonamble Child Care twice a week. She said the gully has been an ongoing issue for many Quambone residents who travel to Coonamble for work, education and shopping. 

"The Quambone Road was shut at Euronne Gully for at least 50 per cent of last year," Mrs Rae said. 

"Its constant closure had huge impacts on my family's everyday lives. My children couldn’t go to school, we were driving an extra 30 kilometres to meet the Combara bus twice a week. 

"We really struggled with day to day necessities. 

"I struggled to get groceries for my family of five, could not drive or go to work, and had little access to the doctors and the chemist for medication. 

"We did tele calls to doctors with limited internet for predominately most of last year." 

Mrs Rae says the Euronne Gully culverts have been a long time coming. 

"The installation of the culverts is great for both the Coonamble and Quambone communities." 

"I know that the Quambone community is thrilled. The culverts cannot come quick enough".