Acting Prime Minister Warren Truss is sending funds to help upgrade bridges that are in a poor state of repair. Image: Andrew Nash
To prevent disasters like this hilarious scene from the 1988 Chevy Chase film Funny Farm where a pair of movers attempt to drive their truck over a dangerously fragile country bridge, the Australian government is pouring wads of cash into strengthening the country’s almost dilapidated links.
It’s funding that local governments across Australia have been crying out for, and now the federal government is putting its money where its mouth is by investing $100 million to repair 189 of the nation’s run down bridges.
The funding has come after an announcement by Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss, who has frequently had to answer calls from usually hostile local government representatives demanding funding for some of Australia’s notoriously neglected roads and bridges.
This new funding is part of Round Two of the Coalition’s new Bridges Renewal Programme, which has had a significant increase in the number and quality of applications from local governments.
According to the government, only councils were eligible to apply for this round and 270 applications seeking around $220 million in Australian government funding were received, with 141 being successful.
Mr Truss said the Bridges Renewal Programme is designed to bolster the productivity of Australia’s local bridges to better serve communities and give councils the support they need to drive greater 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,” Mr Truss said.
“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.”
According to Mr Truss, it’s a “win-win situation”.
“That’s why the Coalition government identified local bridge upgrades and repairs as a national priority and has committed a total of $300 million in funding over five years from 2014–15,” Mr Truss said.
He said 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 is in addition to the Australian Government’s $111 million committed under Round One of the Programme,” Mr Truss said.
