FEDERAL Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce said the New England Electorate has secured $2,242,850 in funding under Round Two of the Australian Government’s Bridges Renewal Programme to support vital upgrades of local bridge infrastructure.

Bridges in the Local Government Areas of Gunnedah, Guyra, Tamworth and Walcha will share in the funding announcement.

Mr Joyce said the Bridges Renewal Programme underpins the Government’s support for local bridges, which are vital in ensuring communities and local businesses have easy access to essential services, traffic movement and the efficient transportation of road freight.

“The Bridges Renewal Programme is designed to bolster the productivity of Australia’s local bridges, and give councils the support they need to better serve communities and drive greater efficiency in road freight and traffic movement,” he said.

“It is clear that Councils have thought seriously about how well their proposal addresses the objectives of the Programme and, in many cases, have taken the time to consult with local industry on their needs and priorities.

“These upgrades mean local communities within the New England Electorate will have access to safer and more reliable road access.

“This will not only reduce the time taken to transport freight from farms and local industry, but increase productivity and economic gains.

“These projects were identified as priorities by local government and the works will be managed by local government – showing this Government’s commitment to providing real outcomes from the local level up.”

Mr Joyce said in Round One of the Bridges Renewal Programme three bridges in the Electorate received funding: $350,000 for Bookookoorara Bridge on the Mount Lindesay Road, $705,000 for the Abington Bridge between Uralla and Bundarra and $350,000 for the Nine Mile Bridge over the Severn River near Glen Innes.