The Armidale Tree Group has been awarded a NSW Government grant to install a timber truss footbridge to span Black Gully Creek.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall announced the grant worth $32,970 yesterday and said the new bridge would improve safety and make the loop walk around Black Gully Reserve and Mike O’Keefe Woodland more enjoyable.
“To walk through the woodlands and access both sides of the wetland, walkers need to cross a hazardous section of Kentucky Street,” Mr Marshall said.
“With the installation of the footbridge and establishment of a loop path, this street crossing can be avoided and will allow for improved visitor enjoyment and access to the reserve.”
The Armidale Tree Group applied for the grant as members had identified a safety risk for visitors to the woodland and were hoping to create a safer, more enjoyable loop walk.
Armidale Tree Group General Manager Alicia Cooper said they intended to have the project fully delivered by the middle of this year.
“While the footbridge will need to be purchased, we will be using local contractors for the associated earthworks and we will be providing native plants to revegetate and rehabilitate the creek banks after construction,” Ms Cooper said.
“We were very happy to hear that our application was successful and we’re looking forward to being able to increase visitor accessibility to this wonderful piece of remnant urban woodland.
“The mature native plantings and constructed wetland provide a wonderful environment for outdoor classes, workshops and guided tours, all of which will be improved with the addition of a timber footbridge to allow visitors to safely cross the creek.”
A planned restoration of the waterway surrounding the footbridge will also improve the habitat value for native birdlife, while improving the aesthetics of the reserve.
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