Balun Bindarray Bridge and Shirley Way
Published on 29 November 2022
Grafton's second river crossing, which opened on 12 December 2019, has been officially named Balun Bindarray Bridge, which means River (Bundjalung) River (Gumbaynggirr).
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the new name was chosen after consultation with the respective First Nations communities, the wider community and Clarence Valley Council.
“There was strong community support for the new bridge to be given a name that is relevant and significant to the two Aboriginal nations that have called this section of the Clarence River home for tens of thousands of years,” Mr Farraway said. “After extensive consultation, Balun Bindarray was chosen and has been approved by the Geographical Names Board.
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“The new $240 million bridge has eliminated peak traffic congestion in Grafton, which means local people are spending less time sitting in traffic and more time with their families and friends.”
Meanwhile the road crossing the bridge and along both approaches has been named the Shirley Way in recognition of the first female mayor of Grafton City Council, Shirley Adams (pictured), who died in 2020 aged 89.
“It is fitting her legacy will be remembered through the road onto one of the most important pieces of infrastructure in the city," Clarence Valley Council General Manager Laura Black.
“Shirley was a trailblazer in local government circles, serving on many committees and sub-committees at local and state levels, including being the first woman elected to the role of Chair of the Country Mayors Association of NSW.”
Ms Adams was Jacaranda Queen in 1952, festival president in 1976 and 1977, guest of honour in 2008 and life member. She was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 1989 and was deeply involved in Girl Guides, the United Hospital Auxiliary, Meals on Wheels, Grafton Historical Society and CWA.
BELOW: Mayor Ian Tiley, Cr Karen Toms, Cr Allison Whaites, Cr Stephen Pickering and Cr Jeff Smith joined family of the Grafton's first female mayor Shirley Adams to unveil the naming of the Shirley Way.
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