A Coalition Government will create a $600 million program to rebuild and repair thousands of ageing and decaying bridges.
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Bridges in Wannon to benefit from new Coalition program
A Coalition Government will create a $600 million program to rebuild and repair thousands of ageing and decaying bridges around Australia, including some in Wannon, the Liberal candidate for Wannon, Dan Tehan, said today.
The new Bridges Renewal Program will receive a $300 million contribution from a Federal Coalition Government over four years, to be matched on a dollar for dollar and case by case basis by local or state governments.
“This is a very important program because I know that some of the councils in Wannon simply don’t have the funds to upgrade ever bridge,” Dan Tehan said. “I know of a few local examples that could be upgraded.”
“Some councils around Australia have up to 100 bridges needing repair, with one benchmark figure suggesting it costs about $700,000 to refurbish or replace a bridge.
“There are more than 30,000 small road bridges around Australia, many gradually decaying. They are usually on secondary freight routes and in regional Australia.
“Some councils have been unable to afford maintenance and upgrades necessary to keep these bridges open. Some have load limits. Sometimes people simply have to find another route.
“The federal money will be distributed on a competitive application basis, giving priority to community needs and economic return. It will be part of the AusLink programs and further details will be released closer to the election.
“This is a great initiative, and dovetails nicely with the superb Roads to Recovery program, which the former Coalition government created,” Dan Tehan said.
Contact Dan Tehan: mob 0400 376 635
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