Bermagui Community Forum Update on "Behind the Scenes Dealing"

 Hi Everyone,

In case you are not on the Bermagui Community Forum's email list, this is the latest. Some disturbing insights, including the need for the bridge to be 7 metres higher to last 100 years.

Cuttagee Bridge Behind the Scenes Dealing
The five year Cuttagee bridge saga culminated in Council deciding on a two lane concrete bridge on 12 November 2025, in total disrespect of the overwhelming community view wanting to repair and restore the Bridge in line with its heritage position. Similarly, the then shadow and now Labor Minister for Roads and Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison, along with local member, Michael Holland promised $15m in March 2023 to repair and restore the bridge.
The Minister released a statement following the Council decision in November 2025 stating “While I’m disappointed that Council has decided to proceed with a design that does not uphold the heritage of the current bridge, I respect the decision of Council”. While the Minister controls the purse strings in this transaction, it appears Council in concert with Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has controlled the outcomes to date.
Community members, as part of a new Restoration of Cuttagee Bridge Group, made a Government Information Public Access (GIPA) request of TfNSW for all correspondence and meeting minutes between TfNSW and Council in the drafting of the Cuttagee Bridge Funding agreement. This correspondence dates between December 2023 and February 2024, and needs to be considered alongside Council meeting minutes during this period. It is notable that the first line of the Funding Agreement refers to the March 2023 NSW State election commitment to provide $15m for Cuttagee Bridge repair and restoration works, but this intent is never mentioned again throughout the agreement.
It is apparent from a review of this correspondence and minutes that Council only ever wanted a two lane concrete bridge, with no real consideration of a repair or restoration approach. It is also apparent that TfNSW appeared to accept this view without challenge. This approach has made it difficult for the Minister to follow through on her election commitment.
Initially in December 2023, the draft Funding Agreement provided for 5 bridge options including a single lane traditional timber construction - like for like replacement. However, at the Council meeting on 31 January 2024, the Mayor proposed and Council agreed to only construct a two lane concrete bridge. As a sign of TfNSW view, they texted Council on 31 January (the same day): “Can I amend the deed this afternoon? Council have resolved to accept the money but only progress with a 2 lane concrete bridge. This will save time and effort.”
The Minister on hearing this outcome visited the Mayor in Bega on 15 February 2024 to try to negotiate a way forward to preserve some heritage value in the outcome. However, options in the Agreement were reduced to three, and none were to repair and restore or substantially timber. One option was a single lane hybrid structure with decorative timber, with attached shared pathway. In April 2025 Council passed a motion that the two hybrid designs in the design tender should include “substantial timber”, but this never eventuated in the design options presented.
Examples of TfNSW side comments on the Funding Agreement that colour their opinion on the March 2023 election promise to repair and restore Cuttagee Bridge:
“Given we can’t comply with the intent or standards implicit in the document if we go down a repair and restore path should we be stating it?”
Reply was “My understanding is that given the words in the election commitment, we have to reiterate them here, but will have the necessary movement, as a result of the Options piece”
Noting further: “This was the political announcement so probably needs to be there somewhere”.
Extracts from minutes of meeting re Cuttagee Bridge on 11 January 2024 between TfNSW and senior Council staff:
Repair and restore not acceptable
Council preference - replace with 2 lane with nod to historic components
Construction won’t commence for 3 years
100 year life would be 7 metre increase in height. Wanted to do road as well.
It is also particularly apparent that the two Council consultation processes, which showed overwhelming community support for a single lane bridge with heritage value recognition, were largely a sham as it appears both Council and TfNSW had already decided on a path to a two lane concrete bridge outcome as early as January 2024.
Our understanding is that there is a workable engineering solution for the restoration of Cuttagee Bridge at a cost much less than the current estimated cost of $29.1m for a two lane concrete bridge. TfNSW and Council need to be directed to look beyond a two lane concrete bridge outcome and appreciate the tourism, heritage and environmental value of the existing Bridge.