New bridges at Oaky Creek and Little Oaky Creek on the Mount Lindsay Highway should be completed before Christmas, Tenterfield Shire Council has been told.

Director of Engineering Services Brian Turner said he has been advised girders are currently being constructed for the bridges and expects building may be finished by Christmas.

Two more bridges at Hoffmans Creek and Acacia Creek are not expected to be completely reopened until June next year, Mr Turner said.

... or soon thereafter

Pedestrian areas of the Molesworth Street bridge near the Tenterfield Bowling Club will remain shut until the new year.

Tenterfield Shire Director of Engineering Services Brian Turner said the footpaths would remain closed until necessary resources become available to repair wood on the pedestrian walkway. He said the bridge would be reopened in early 2010.

Steering towards wildlife centre

Fourteen representatives from the local area have been appointed to the Tenterfield Tourist Wildlife Interpretive Centre steering committee.

Members of the committee represent a wide variety of relevant local interests, including the council, tourism, land care groups and the indigenous population.

The steering committee will now begin applying for funding essential for the Centre’s establishment.

No economic advantage from powerlines: EDO

Environmental Defenders Office Education Officer Mark Byrne visited Tenterfield Shire Council on Wednesday to update councillors on the fight against proposed Transgrid high voltage powerlines.

Dr Byrne and the EDO have been working with the Upper Dumaresq Action Group in their fight against the construction of proposed new powerlines that would link stations at Bonshaw and Tenterfield.

He said the construction should be the last resort in trying to find solutions to power shortages in the Northern Rivers and questioned the motives for constructing the line.

“There is no economic benefit to the [Tenterfield] Shire in supplying the coast, and it would probably not be doing the north coast any favours either,” Dr Byrne told councillors.