According to Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien, The Albanese Government’s decision to scrap the Bridges Renewal Program will have a direct and devastating impact on the safety, economic growth, and prosperity of the Wide Bay electorate.
“The Labor Government’s decision to axe this vital program shows how little they know or care about rural and regional economies and road networks,” Mr O’Brien said.
The Bridges Renewal Program was introduced by the former Coalition Government in 2013/14 to support the agricultural and heavy vehicle industry’s.
The Program provided dedicated funding for upgrading or replacing rural and regional weight limited bridges to open up safe and efficient routes for business and heavy vehicle access.
“Improving the older and unsafe bridges on our road networks is vital for keeping them safe for motorists, particularly truck drivers, and supporting industry by improving productivity,” Mr O’Brien said.
Mr O’Brien said that the Albanese Government’s first 18 months has seen road funding programs slashed and axed, while $450 million was wasted on the Voice Referendum, and billions of dollars allocated to ridiculous so called “renewables” projects that will have severe economic, environmental, and social impacts on rural and regional communities.
“While the Albanese Government will tell you that they are making improvements by cancelling the Bridges Renewal Program and bundling it into a new local road and infrastructure program, the reality is that we have lost the dedicated commitment to upgrading old and unsafe bridges, and Councils will have to fight for a slice of this funding.” Mr O’Brien said.
Since 2014, the Bridges Renewal Program has funded a number of important and strategic bridge upgrades across local government areas in Wide Bay, including;
Gympie Regional Council:
Tandur Road Bridge, Doyle’s Bridge at Kandanga, Goomong Road Bridge, and Kandanga Creek Road Bridge.
Fraser Coast:
Boar Creek Bridge near Bauple, St Mary’s Bridge at Tiaro, and Gutchy Creek Bridge.
Noosa:
Cooroy Belli Creek Road, Doonella Lake Bridge at Tewantin, Garth Prowd Bridge at Noosa Heads, Lawnville Road Bridge at Back Mountain, Wahpunga Lane Bridge at Kin Kin, Mary River Road Bridge, Old Noosa Road Bridge, Orealla Crescent Bridge, and Tablelands Road Bridge ‘B’ at Cooran.
South Burnett:
Marshlands Bridge
“This is a blow to farmers, graziers, the transport industry, local government, and ultimately the consumer,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Upgrading and replacing these bridges wouldn’t have happened under a Labor Government, and now the other bridges in Wide Bay in need of repair or replacement won’t receive the dedicated federal support that has proven to be the critical catalyst to get them done.”
