The list of successful projects has been announced today
The Federal Government will invest $100 million to fund 189 bridges under Round Two of the Bridges Renewal Programme, which encompasses replacement of structural components, restoration and construction of bridges across Australia.
Announcing the list of successful projects, Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Warren Truss says the programme aims to improve the productivity of Australia’s local bridges and help councils provide more efficiency in road freight and traffic movement.
“We understand that local government has responsibility for thousands of local bridges, many of which are in a poor state of repair. Some councils face critical bridge issues beyond their capacity to address,” Truss says.
“By upgrading these bridges, residents will enjoy better, safer and more reliable road access. Freight from farms and local factories will also be able to pass more safely along quicker routes, improving their productivity.”
The government will invest a total of $300 million – a maximum of 50 per cent of the total cost of each project – over five years from 2014-15.
“The Australian Government’s financial commitment of $100 million in this round of the programme will be matched by local councils and/or state governments, delivering a total investment of at least $200 million towards upgrading bridges.
This funding, Truss says, is in addition to the $111 million approved as part of Round One of the programme in March 2015.
The government received 270 applications from councils across Australia, out of which 141 were successful.
Payments to all successful projects will be made through National Partnership Agreements to state/territory governments.