Briars Sharrow Road during a 2021 flood. Photo: Ashley Warwick.
Residents in southern NSW are preparing for disruption from a nine-month bridge closure, with one saying their council hasn’t listened to their fears.
Hoskinstown resident Ashley Meyer-Dilley is among those affected by a months-long road closure for the replacement of Briars Sharrow Bridge.
During heavy rain, the low-level causeway along Briars Sharrow Road (about a 10-minute drive from Bugendore) becomes impassable, which leaves several farms cut off.
Earlier this year, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC) awarded a multi-million dollar contract for the design and construction of a more elevated replacement.
In another meeting, councillors agreed to investigate further flood measures after realising access points to the new bridge could still flood.
She said the closure doubled her commute time into Canberra to about 80 minutes.
“Overall, the sentiment from the community is we’re happy to have an update, we’re happy to see some investment happening,” she told Region.
“But this is not the right bridge at the time.”
The road closure (shown in red) is expected to last for several months. Image: Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council.
A section of Briars Sharrow Road between Plains and Captains Flat roads is closed for the works.
But Ms Meyer-Dilley said it came with “minimal” engagement from QPRC about how the bridge was used and what impact a closure would have.
She remembers seeing signs placed around the bridge late last year in the “first indication about something happening”, before residents were notified by a letter drop in January 2026 that work was being planned for the bridge.
She pointed to a drop-in information session held at Hoskinstown War Memorial Hall.
“The intent was for them to show us the plans … [and] everyone will be happy.
“What they didn’t expect to see was more than 120 people turn up to the hall and tell them they were doing the project wrong!”
She said a major community concern raised was how emergency service vehicles would handle the closure.
A QPRC spokesperson told Region their communication around the project also included calls for politicians to fund a replacement as an election priority and its inclusion in the 2025/29 Operational Plan and Delivery Program (which went out for public exhibition last year).
“This project has been on council’s priority list for a number of years.”
A portable site office near the bridge. Photo: Ashley Meyer-Dilley.
Ms Meyer-Dilley said her worries also included a longer travel time for school kids.
She said the multi-million dollar price tag of the project would be better spent ensuring Foxlow Street and Rechs Creek bridges were in the best condition.
The council spokesperson said the bridge closure was unavoidable, as the presence of a nearby waterway, private residences and Aboriginal artefacts limited their options.
“The project has a tight budget with the current arrangements.
“Building a new bridge on a different alignment would push the project costs over our budget. The project also needs to consider the uncertainty of cost increases due to the current geopolitical impacts to fuel supply and impacts of shortages.”
Ms Meyer-Dilley called for clear communication from QPRC about the project’s progression.
“We want clear, consistent communication that answers our questions, not fluff lines.”
She described council staff as being responsive, but said no councillors attended the drop-in meeting.
“Our local councillors have been nowhere to be seen. … I’ve had some responses, but no one’s come out to meet with us.”
Another community meeting is being planned, which is expected to be held by mid-year.
Council expects the new bridge to open to traffic in January 2027.
Anyone struggling with extra costs associated with the project can contact QPRC for assistance.
Updates can also be found through the Briars Sharrow Bridge upgrade page on the council’s website.
