Bridges, roads and playgrounds were some of the major winners from the Clarence Valley Council’s (CVC) 2016/17 budget that was passed at last week’s council meeting, a CVC media release states. Councillors approved a budget that includes $3.46 million for the replacement of the Romiaka Bridge on Yamba Road; $474,000 for an upgrade of Golf Links Road at Ilarwill; $410,000 for a new roundabout at the intersection of Coldstream and River streets, Yamba; $322,000 for an upgrade of Cameron Street, Maclean; $230,000 for footpaths in Charles Street, Iluka; $584,000 for road repair sat Three Mile Swamp on the Armidale Road; and, $388,000 for the replacement of the Kinghorn Bridge on Wooli Road. Other projects include a $90,000 upgrade of the Angourie Blue Pools car park, a $50,000 upgrade of Minnie Water Back Beach access stairs and $210,000 for renewal of playground equipment. Council also approved the allocation of $12.7 million on a new works depot in South Grafton. Mayor Richie Williamson said spending was spread across the council area. “As always, roads are one of our biggest ticket items and one of our highest priorities for spending,” he said. Cr Williamson said council also voted to adopt a 6.5 per cent increase in the ordinary rate – an increase that was approved by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal. He said the 6.5 per cent applied only to the base charge and ordinary rates – not the entire rates bill which, for most ratepayers, included water, sewer and waste collection service charges. “Because of the way rates are structured, the total rates bill for some people for 2016/17 could actually be slightly less than their 2015/16 bill,” he said. “Most will pay some more, but for most residential ratepayers their total rates and charges bill will rise by less than $35 a year. “The actual amount will vary depending on the land valuation and location. They are used as an average figure for the typical residential bill.”