Councils throughout the New England Electorate have the chance to fix local bridges that are in poor condition with the help of direct funding from the Federal Government.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said a new round of funding under the $360 million Bridges Renewal Programme opened today.

 

“This is a great opportunity for state, territory and local governments to apply for funding to have ageing bridges fixed, with up to half the cost met by the Australian Government.  This will be the third round of funding under the programme, which is continuing to keep communities connected and local industries profitable,” Mr Joyce said.

 

“Our councils can get on board by nominating local bridges that need upgrading or replacement.  Residents who might like to put forward their ideas should get in touch with their Council to find out about any plans they have to nominate local bridges, or put forward suggestions.

 

“Better bridges improve safety and access for communities and keep businesses and the road freight sector powering on – delivering dollars into the pockets of local businesses and supporting jobs.

 

“By working together with governments at all levels – particularly local Councils which often need a hand to get big-ticket projects underway – we are upgrading and repairing bridges in all corners of the country.

 

“We’ve already seen serious dollars put into fixing bridges in the region, with ten upgrade projects getting support under Rounds One and Two of the programme.  These include replacing the Tenterden Road Bridge in the Guyra Shire, replacement of the Swamp Creek Bridge in the Tamworth Regional Council area and Bookookoorara Creek Bridge in the Tenterfield Shire.

 

“Since Bridges Renewal started in 2014-15, around $211 million has been invested in 204 projects across the nation.  That’s why it is such a popular programme - it helps Councils tackle big-ticket upgrades they might not otherwise be able to take on.

“State, territory and local governments are eligible to apply for up to $5 million in Australian Government funding per project – that’s a significant sum of money for any organisation.”
 

Mr Joyce said submissions would be accepted from state, territory and local governments from today.  Nominated projects will go through a competitive merit-based selection process, with successful applicants eligible to receive up to 50 per cent of project costs, or $5 million.

 

Proponents should discuss priorities with their local communities, industry stakeholders, Regional Development Australia committees and relevant government road agencies early in the process of compiling their proposals.

 

Round Three is open until 15 May, 2017.  Guidelines and proposal forms are now available on the Bridges Renewal Programme website at: www.infrastructure.gov.au/bridges

 

Successful New England Electorate projects:

Round 1

 

Glen Innes Severn Shire Council: Replace the one lane timber Severn River Bridge at Glen Innes with a one lane concrete bridge.             

 

Grant $350,000 - Total Project Cost $700,000

 

Tenterfield Shire Council: Replace the one lane timber Bookookoorara Creek Bridge near Tenterfield with a two lane structure on a new road alignment.        

 

Grant $350,000 - Total Project Cost $1,050,000

 

Upper Hunter Shire Council:  Replace the one lane wooden Starrs Crossing Bridge at Scone with a new one lane concrete bridge.                                                                           

 

Grant $340,000 - Total Project Cost $782,288

 

Uralla Shire Council:  Replace the timber Abington Creek Bridge at Uralla with a two lane concrete bridge and new road alignment.                                                                

 

Grant $705,000 - Total Project Cost $1,410,000

 

Round 2:

 

Guyra Shire Council:  Replace the single lane timber Tenterden Road Bridge at Guyra with a two lane concrete bridge.                                                                                          

 

Grant $530,000 - Total Project Cost $1,060,000

 

Tamworth Regional Council:  Replace the one lane timber Rimbanda Bridge with a one lane concrete causeway.                                                                            

 

Grant $82,500 - Total Project Cost $165,000

 

Tamworth Regional Council:  Replace the one lane timber Swamp Creek Bridge with a one

lane concrete bridge.                                                                                          

 

Grant $190,850 - Total Project Cost $381,700

 

Upper Hunter Shire Council: Replace the single lane timber Middlebrook Bridge with a two

lane concrete bridge.

 

Grant $1,164,000 - Total Project Cost $2,228,000

 

Walcha Council: Replace the two lane timber Aberbaldie Road Bridge with a wider two lane

bridge.                                                                                                                 

 

Grant $248,500 - Total Project Cost $497,000

 

Walcha Council:  Replace the one lane timber Flags Niangala Bridge with a wider, higher load

limit one lane bridge.                                                                                         

 

Grant $152,500 - Total Project Cost $305,000

 

Walcha Council:  Replace the single lane timber Kangaroo Flat Road Bridge with a single lane

concrete bridge.

 

Grant $238,500 - Total Project Cost $477,000

 

(ENDS)