Karrara Bridge at Fowlers Road opened to motorists, pedestrians and cyclists on 28 April 2020. It provides new flood-reliable access between Dapto and West Dapto and eases congestion through Dapto Town Centre by reducing traffic on Bong Bong Road.

Karrara is the traditional Aboriginal name for Upper Mullet Creek. It was suggested by the community when we asked for bridge name ideas.

This project was one of the largest ever undertaken by Council. It includes:

• a 1.3 km four-lane road
• shared path
• two bridges
• flood reduction works
• the deviation of Marshall Street under Karrara Bridge
• road widening at Princes Highway and Fowlers Road.

The project also included tree planting and landscaping in Dapto and Horsley and public artwork on the Karrara Bridge underpass in Marshall Street.

In addition to funds provided by Council, initial funding for this project has been secured from the Australian Government; the NSW Government - Infrastructure NSW’s Restart NSW Illawarra Infrastructure Fund; the NSW Government - Office of Local Government’s Local Infrastructure Renewal Scheme; and a Design Grant from NSW Government - Department of Planning and Infrastructure.

Take a look at Karrara Bridge below.

Karrara Bridge signage and artwork

We've installed a sign at Karrara Bridge featuring a painting by Dapto High School student, Cooper Barnes.

As a proud Indigenous boy from Yuin Country and Dapto High School student, I have been honoured and humbled to be asked to design an artwork representing Kararra Bridge, Mullet Creek and the connection our school, as a meeting place of learning, has with community and its surrounding area.

My painting highlights the beauty of Mullet Creek and includes the ponds and waterways that run alongside the school, full of fish and turtles, which I enjoyed as a kid. I’ve also captured the beauty of the escarpment and the native birds that are part of our landscape and my life growing up.

Artist statement supplied by Cooper Barnes 2022.