January 22, 2024
National Party leader David Littleproud has singled out the K.T. Peters Bridge at Inverlaw as a potential victim of the end to the Bridges Renewal Program by the Federal Government.
The funding program has been providing at least $85 million a year to fund the upgrade and replacement of bridges across Australia.
Mr Littleproud said the decision to “scrap” it would have devastating consequences for his electorate of Maranoa.
“In their first 18 months, the Albanese Government has taken the axe to road funding and now Labor is planning to abolish yet another road program specifically designed to support regional industries by fixing country bridges so they can safely carry heavy trucks,” Mr Littleproud said.
“The Bridges Renewal Program has been critical to Maranoa, enabling projects like the Palmer Bridge replacement at Freestone, the Wandoan Creek Bridge replacement at Wandoan and the Kogan Creek Bridge at Dalby to be built.”
He said said more bridges in his electorate, such as the K.T. Peters Bridge at Inverlaw and the Accommodation Creek Bridge on the New England Highway near Ballandean, could potentially have benefited from the program.
However, according to the Federal Department of Infrastructure, the Bridges Renewal Program is not being scrapped.
The bridge funding program and the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program are in the process of being merged.
Funding for the new “Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program” will increase gradually from $150 million (the current total for the two former programs) to $200 million a year.
“Applications can continue to be submitted until transitional arrangements are announced,” the Department’s website states.
“Rural and regional projects can apply for funding to cover up to 80 per cent of the total project cost, while for urban projects, funding can cover up to 50 per cent of the total project cost.
“Applications for BRP funding are still currently invited from State, Territory and local governments.”
Footnote: Structural maintenance repairs and guard rail replacement at the K.T. Peters Bridge, on River Road at Inverlaw, were submitted by the South Burnett Regional Council under Round 5 of the Bridges Renewal Program in 2020 with the then-Federal Government approving $30,000 of the $60,000 total cost, however work on the project has not yet started.
- External link: Bridges Renewal Program
- Related article: ALGA Welcomes Boost For Roads
