Emma Pritchard

It has been referred to by many names since it opened to the public in December 2019, most commonly the new Grafton Bridge and the better-late-than-never bridge, but on November 27, it was finally given an official title.

In front of a small gathering including Clarence Valley councillors, members of the Bundjalung and Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal communities, Ngerrie Local Aboriginal Land Council (NLALC), Transport for NSW representatives, and a few keen locals, Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis was joined by the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway as he announced the second crossing over the Clarence River at Grafton has been named the Balun Bindarray Bridge.

Balun and Bindarray mean river in the Bundjalung and Gumbaynggirr languages respectively.

As he proudly spoke to attendees at the official ceremony, Mr Gulaptis said the name had been selected following extensive consultation with the Bundjalung and Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal communities, the wider community, and Clarence Valley Council (CVC).

Describing the Clarence River as the boundary between the Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal community on the southern side and the Bundjalung Aboriginal community on the northern side, Mr Gulaptis said the new name was a relevant choice.

Mr Farraway said there had been strong local support for the new bridge to be given a name that is significant to the Bundjalung and Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal communities who have called the land surrounding the Clarence River their home for thousands of years, adding it was important that the heritage and culture of the region was also reflected in the chosen name.

“After extensive consultation with representatives of these two nations and a survey of the respective Aboriginal communities, Balun Bindarray was chosen as the new name,” he said.

While the infrastructure is now known as the Balun Bindarray Bridge, Clarence Valley Council (CVC) General Manager Laura Black confirmed the access roads on either side of the bridge, along with the two walkways will be called Shirley Way in honour of Shirley Adams, Grafton’s first lady mayor who passed away in 2020, aged 89.

In a statement released over the weekend, Ms Black described Mrs Adams as a great ambassador for Grafton and the Clarence Valley, and a trailblazer in local government circles.

“It is fitting her legacy will be remembered through the road onto one of the most important pieces of infrastructure in the city,” she said.

A Transport for NSW spokesperson confirmed new signage displaying the name of the Balun Bindarray Bridge will be erected in the coming months.