Pictured above: From left, Narrabri Shire Council general manager Stewart Todd, Steven Booby (Deriah Aboriginal Area Co-Management Committee), the mayor Cathy Redding, Member for Barwon Kevin Humphries, Marty Linehan (NPWS), and Shire Roads Services Manager Luke McDermott.
Narrabri Shire Council’s $500,000 Deriah Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Area Access (Deriah Project) has been successful in obtaining $249,000 in funding for upgrades to Carinya Road, which is the sole access point to the Deriah Aboriginal Area.
Narrabri Shire Council has contributed $249,000 and won grant funding for $249,000 from the NSW Government through the NSW Regional Cultural Fund.
The project involves council re-sheeting 3.75km of road from Eulah Creek Road to the Deriah barbecue area. At present it is suggested as 4WD accessible only, limiting access to a significant cultural area.
Council’s Road Services Manager, Luke McDermott said one of the main undertakings will be installing traffic lights and a barrier system to improve safety through a narrow part of the existing Carinya Road which will be reduced to one lane. It is expected to also allow for increased two wheel drive access.
“Council is working with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and key members of the Aboriginal community to ensure visitors have safe access via Carinya Road to the Deriah Aboriginal Area” said Mr McDermott.
Mayor Cathy Redding highlighted the cultural significance of the area as of great importance to the local Aboriginal community.
“Since the Deriah Aboriginal Area Co-management Committee was formed in 2008 in partnership with NPWS there has been substantial progress in conserving the area’s history while giving visitors the opportunity to explore,” said Mayor Redding.
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