A total of $108,795 was the amount requested by Council, with $98,905 marked for actual repairs and the balance made up of in-kind work and overheads.

At its September 2017 meeting Nambucca Shire councillors voted to advise Rally Australia it would not support future World Rally events in the Nambucca Valley unless the balance was paid … as well as any costs incurred as a consequence of damage caused by the 2017 World Rally event.

WRA agreed to pay the remaining balance after a head to head meeting in May this year.

They were also advised of and invoiced the 2017 damages which came to $40,103.13 – a much lesser amount with fewer shire roads on the 2017 route and more of the action moved to Glenreagh, north of Coffs Harbour.

After council resolved to note the receipt of the 2016 damages, a round of applause – indicating councillors’ relief – resounded through in the chamber.

Australia will again host the final stage of the World Rally Championships on the Coffs Coast this year.

Event Chairman Ben Rainsford said changes for the next Rally Australia, from November 15-18, 2018, could include new competition stages, upgraded services and facilities at spectator points and more family attractions at the popular competitors’ service park in Coffs Harbour.

Today Chris Nixon from WRA confirmed that it will again run a stage in the Nambucca Valley in 2018.

“There’s some great roads down there [in Nambucca Shire] and it’s popular with Rally fans – it would be a very tough decision if we were to ever take it away,” he said.

“Last year we ran the full 48km track from Welsh’s Creek to Argents Hill, but this year we’re going to change it up.

“We’ll be splitting the course into two sections and running it in the opposite direction.

“It’s always necessary to keep the competition fresh; the drivers develop a memory of the roads.”

Great white chases kayak

Macksville Bridge to be lit