The prayers of Walgett-based producers and truck drivers alike have been answered, with a ‘game changing’ upgrade to the Grawin Creek Bridge bound to cut down significant travel time, and increase safety. 

The upgrade will increase the capacity of the bridge, catering for B-triple, AB-triple and road trains all year round. 

Walgett Councillor and road train operator Jason Ramien couldn’t be happier with the announcement. 

“It’s a game changer for people in harvest, especially for those on the western side of the Barwon River,” Mr Ramien said.



The capacity of farmers to move produce will dramatically increase as a result of the upgrade, with a minimum of 65 tonnes rather than 50.

“Every four trips, you’re cutting out a road train. It’ll just make production that much more advanced,” Mr Ramien said. 

The upgrade was in high demand from local farmers, who gathered at the bridge with a representative from Roy Butler’s office.

“They expressed how it needs to be done, especially for interstate (freight). There’s a lot of trucks that come in now from Melbourne through Collarenebri and going to Brisbane,” Mr Ramien said. 

“To come in this way rather than up through Burren Junction and Narrabri, it cuts time off and saves people money.”

Safety has been a big factor in the upgrade too. Mr Ramien’s role as fire captain makes him all to aware of the dangers that lie in wait, with several incidents occurring at the location.

“Thankfully we haven’t had any fatalities on the bridge. You can pass two cars on it but when you’ve got a truck and another vehicle on it, it’s very narrow” Mr Ramien said. 

“It’ll make me feel a lot better being a first responder,” he said.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway announced a change to access with the upgrade, where all Type 1 Road Trains operating at Higher Mass Limit will be able to use the bridge from April to June and October to December.

“Grawin Creek Bridge is a barrier for large trucks operating on the Gwydir Highway between Walgett and Moree, with freight operators either having to detour via the Kamilaroi Highway or reduce load limits,” Mr Farraway said. 

“This new access will make harvest easier for farmers in and around the Walgett district – supporting productivity improvements for farm businesses in a safe and sustainable way - it really is a no brainer,” he said.

Construction for the bridge improvements is set to start March 2024.