Scabbing Flat Bridge: Timeline of Events
Late 2023: Deterioration identified
A routine Transport for NSW (TfNSW) inspection finds significant deterioration of the bridge's timber structure, including evidence of termite activity.
1 December 2023: 16-tonne load limit imposed
TfNSW reduces the bridge's load limit from 42.5 tonnes to 16 tonnes. Heavy vehicles, including much of the district's agricultural freight, are forced onto lengthy detours via Wellington or Dubbo.
27 June 2024: Council commits to a feasibility study
Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) unanimously passes Councillor Richard Ivey's motion (CCL24/148). It directs Council staff to engage REMPLAN to prepare an initial feasibility assessment for a new bridge across the Macquarie River near Geurie, due by March 2025.
July 2024: Repair work begins
TfNSW crews begin on-site strengthening and safety work on the bridge.
2 April 2025: Community petition delivered
Local farmer, Michelle Tomkins delivers a petition with nearly 1,000 handwritten signatures to TfNSW (collected over a 3 month period). The petition supports building a new bridge across the Macquarie River at Scabbing Flat.
27 May 2025: Feasibility report deadline extended
DRC seeks a six-month extension, to November 2025, to gather data on the value of local agricultural production.
13 June 2025: community formally incorporates the Scabbing Flat Bridge Action Group – Geurie Incorporated
With the petition being delivered back on 2 April 2025, and nothing achieved (other than more deadline extensions), the community decide to incorporate formally. Inaugural meeting of members is held at Geurie Bowling Club. The not for profit, volunteer run organisation is named Scabbing Flat Bridge Action Group – Geurie Incorporated (The Association).
17 September 2025: Minister flags possible delisting
In a letter to Dubbo Mayor Josh Black, Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison states that TfNSW is investigating the possibility of delisting the bridge from the Section 170 Heritage and Conservation Register.
17 October 2025: Full load limit restored, with restrictions
NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison and DRC Mayor Josh Black announce that the 42.5-tonne limit is restored in time for the summer harvest. A temporary steel Bailey bridge is supporting the historic timber trusses, so a 3.4-metre width restriction and a 20 km/h speed limit remain in place.
November 2025: Feasibility report due
The extended deadline for the DRC feasibility report passes.
18 December 2025: Heritage strategy review confirmed
TfNSW advises the Association that it has received formal endorsement to review the Timber Truss Bridge Conservation Strategy, and that community consultation will form part of the review.
February 2026: Association seeks an update
The Association asks DRC for the status of the feasibility report and organises a public community meeting.
18 February 2026: Width restriction temporarily eased
TfNSW removes the Bailey bridge, widening the crossing to 4.5 metres. It advises that the 3.4-metre restriction will return for about four weeks in mid-2026 while the truss repairs are completed.
26 February 2026: Letter to Council
The Association writes to DRC's Interim General Manager, Luke Ryan, on behalf of the Geurie community. The letter summarises Council's previous resolutions and offers the community's assistance. TfNSW is copied in.
2 March 2026: Community meeting
A community meeting is held at the Geurie Bowling Club, attended by Luke Ryan of DRC and Damien Pfeiffer of TfNSW. TfNSW takes a number of community questions on notice.
26 March 2026: TfNSW responds to community questions
TfNSW provides written answers to the questions taken on notice at the community meeting.
12 May 2026: Review delayed
TfNSW advises that its review of the Strategy will not be completed by 30 June 2026.
28 May 2026: State Government interest
The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) contacts the Association seeking background on the bridge.
1 June 2026: Federal advocacy begins
The Association writes to Andrew Gee MP, Federal Member for Calare, with a briefing note. The letter asks him to engage Federal Transport Minister Catherine King MP on funding for a new crossing.
11 June 2026: Follow-up to TfNSW
The Association writes to TfNSW seeking an update on the review.
19 June 2026: Meeting with Council leadership
Association representatives meet at DRC headquarters with Mayor Josh Black, General Manager Andrew Wilsmore and Director Infrastructure Luke Ryan. Michelle Tomkins (President) and Claire Booth (Secretary, Geurie Village & District Association, and Villages Committee community representative) attend for the community. The Association asks Council to support removing the bridge's heritage listing from the LEP and to provide letters of support for upcoming grant applications.
21 June 2026: Request for review timeframes
The Association asks TfNSW for a written statement of the timeframes for its Strategy review.
22 June 2026: TfNSW response
TfNSW advised that it understands the community's position but that TfNSW "is not in a position to assist". It says studies for TfNSW-led projects must be commissioned by TfNSW under its own guidelines, so independently prepared reports could not be used. TfNSW advised the review is still progressing, will include community consultation, and that it will provide timeframes when available.
June 2026: SafeWork incident stops bridge repairs [date of incident not exactly known, but based on bridge workers verbal comments, it was mid June 2026]
A replacement timber drops during repair work. A TfNSW safety system stops it falling and no one is hurt. The incident is reported to SafeWork and that stage of the work is paused pending its investigation.
25 June 2026: Annual General Meeting
The Association holds its 2026 Annual General Meeting. Officer bearers re-elected. 38 local road users attend the AGM to receive updates. Dubbo Mayor Josh Black commits to supporting the Geurie community.
27 June 2026: Tyre destroyed by protruding bolt
Ponto resident Helen Frankham's front tyre is ruptured by a bolt protruding from the bridge deck as she crosses on her way to Dubbo. She keeps control of the vehicle and gets safely off the bridge. TfNSW later agrees to pay $300 to replace the tyre. Around the same time, a replacement timber drops during repair work.
20 July 2026: Association seeks meetings with two Ministers
The Association writes to Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison seeking an interim safe crossing, a published end date for the maintenance works, and a funded replacement bridge in the 2027–28 NSW Budget. It also writes to Heritage Minister Penny Sharpe asking that the heritage considerations attached to the bridge be removed immediately. Meetings are requested before 31 August 2026.
26 August 2026: Minister visits Scabbing Flat Bridge
NSW Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison visits Scabbing Flat Bridge with Dubbo Mayor Josh Black, who has been advocating for changes to the state's Timber Truss Bridge Strategy.
28 September 2026: Timber Truss Bridge Strategy review opens
TfNSW finally opens the public reviewing into the Timber Truss Bridge Strategy. The review is described as the way to remove the s170 heritage listing from the bridge. The Association has been asking for the Scabbing Flat Bridge to be removed from the list since December 2023.
Consultation closes on 30 October 2026, and a draft Strategy will then go on public exhibition in 2027 for further comment.
Feedback can be given by survey, by pinning a comment on the map, or by formal submission at haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/TTBS-review. Please go to our website where we provide examples of letters for submission.