General News
11 September, 2026
Monkeying Around Bridge Continues
Bogan Shire Council seeks more time for a resolution as the Monkey Bridge saga drags on.
By Abigail McLaughlin
The future of Monkey Bridge near Coolabah remains unresolved, with Bogan Shire Council seeking another 12 months to determine how the crossing will be replaced.
Council has abandoned plans for the originally proposed box culvert and is now pursuing a bed-level crossing, while seeking more time from NSW Fisheries and Forestry to comply with a remediation order requiring the existing crossing and downstream material to be removed.
The issue has been ongoing since the Fisheries Management Remediation Order was issued in 2024 because it was thought the existing structure made it difficult for fish to swim through.
Council was given a September 18 deadline to complete the required works or potentially risk penalties of up to $220,000 for breaching the Fisheries Management Act.
At its August 27 meeting, council resolved to seek a 12-month extension to carry out the works under its existing permit, while also seeking confirmation that the fisheries remediation deadline be extended.
The decision follows council's July resolution to cancel the tender process for the proposed culvert crossing and investigate alternative options with the NSW government.
At the August meeting, council's director infrastructure services Grayden Curry told councillors preparation of a 'Construction Environmental Management Plan' for a bed-level crossing had already commenced.
Council has been seeking assistance from Barwon MP, Roy Butler, in its discussions with the NSW government.
Although no further meeting had yet been arranged, council had received a letter from Fisheries and Forestry to Mr Butler dated August 17.
Following discussions between council's general manager and Mr Butler's office, Mr Curry recommended council seek the 12-month extension to allow further consultation and planning.
The change in direction comes at a financial cost, with Mr Curry reporting approximately $105,000 has already been spent on the project.
This includes around $71,000 for the purchase of box culverts intended for the original crossing.
Council said it would make every effort to find other council projects where the culverts could be used.