After disastrous flood events in recent weeks, the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has welcomed the announcement of a $40 million funding increase for the Federal Bridges Renewal Program.
This extra funding will ensure older bridges along supply chain routes are repaired as the state prepares to rebuild.
The Federal Government has already committed an annual $95 million to the Program, with a further $10 million to be made available for each of the next four years.
Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) CEO Alison Smith said the funding boost matches one of the funding requests in the Association’s Federal Budget submission.
“Many of the almost 3,000 bridges across Queensland’s vast local government network were built prior to 1974 and were simply not designed to cater for the large, heavy vehicles we see today,” Ms Smith said.
“An effective and productive supply chain is only as good as its weakest link, and often older bridges are the limiting factor on limiting optimum productivity.
“The LGAQ welcomes this increased investment in the Bridges Renewal Program, as replacing – or strengthening – bridges on key freight routes will maximise supply chain productivity, create employment, and enhance the liveability of Queensland communities.”
“We thank the Federal Government for listening to its local counterparts in Queensland and we hope to see further requests – especially in the areas of Financial Assistance Grants, housing, local roads and community infrastructure and disaster mitigation – addressed in the Federal Budget on 29 March.”
The Bridges Renewal Program announcement comes as many councils are assessing the damage caused by recent widespread and devastating flooding – for many, for a second time in just three months.
“The current recovery underlines that, when it comes to bridges, roads and other local infrastructure, it is vital that councils have sufficient funding to ‘build back better’ following natural disasters,” Ms Smith said.
