Twenty two bridges in the Bega electorate will be replaced or receive significant repairs under the NSW Government’s $500 million Fixing Country Bridges program to better connect regional communities and increase resilience to natural disasters. Eurobodalla bridge replacements:
Silo Farm Bridge $2,297,750
Punkalla Creek Bridge Wagonga $1,145,750
Tilba Tilba Bridge $1,057,650
Grumleys Bridge, Wagonga $600,150
Potato Point Bridge (Blackfellows Point Road Bridge) $600,150
Clarksons Bridge Wagonga $600,150
Cowdroys Bridge $407,650
Cobra Bridge $407,650
Member for Bega Andrew Constance said the almost $24 million investment into replacing our ageing timber bridges means improved community connections to schools, towns and jobs, allowing easier movement of freight and delivering better outcomes for road safety.
We also need to ensure that in times of fire, flood or in an emergency that residents and emergency services are able to move safely around the region,” Mr Constance said.
“Many of our timber bridges sit on alternative evacuation routes or are on the only route available to many residents, most are weight limited and will continue to be subject to damage.
“We need to make our communities more resilient during times of disaster and replacing this ageing infrastructure will go a long way towards achieving that goal.
“On top of easing the financial burden on councils, this program will create thousands of local jobs throughout regional communities at a time when they’re needed most,” Mr Constance said.
“I’m glad that across the Bega Valley and Eurobodalla alone, we’re going to see more than twenty bridges replaced or repaired under this new round of funding because I know what a difference they’ll make to entire communities.”
We acknowledge that many in our communities will have a connection to some of the timber bridges and council will work with community to ensure a sympathetic approach will be taken with their replacement, but these replacements are essential to ensure continued and safe movement across the region.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said round one of the program will see more than 400 ageing bridges replaced by safer, modern bridges that will better withstand events like floods and bushfires, and ease the burden of maintenance for local councils and ratepayers.
“Regional councils maintain more than 1,800 timber bridges across the state, and we’re delivering on our promise to help them replace ageing bridges.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the NSW Government had accelerated funding for the program with more than $290 million shared across 54 councils to replace 424 bridges in round one.
“That’s hundreds of fast-tracked projects that will start across the state in the next 12 months, helping councils to create and support jobs, drive productivity and keep our regional communities connected,” Mr Toole said.
For more information on the Fixing Country Bridges program and to view the full list of successful projects, please visit nswroads.work/fixingcountrybridges
Above: Makins Bridge on the Wagonga Scenic Drive is a bridge on a PUBLIC Road that has fallen into disrepair to such an extent that Council has foregone its responsibilities and allowed Forestry to illegally erect eight high mounds on a PUBLIC ROAD along the length of Wagonga Scenic Drive between Red Knob Road and Box Cutting Road. This was the ONLY bridge that Council chose NOT to fix with previous extensive timber bridge repair funding made available
