Walcha Council said it was extremely pleased to receive the Federal Government funding announced on Wednesday to replace and repair three timber bridges.
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"The thorough work by the Walcha Council Engineering Department and lobbying by our local member, Barnaby Joyce, will see more bridges meet the high standards set by Council for its road network," Walcha Mayor Eric Noakes said.
"The ability to ease freight restrictions and keep these costs to a minimum can only benefit local producers and freight companies. The replacement of the ageing timber bridges has been a long term focus of Council to allow for greater mass limits on local roads."
In a media statement issued on Wednesday,the Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said new road infrastructure has been earmarked for the Walcha community with funding approved for three major bridge upgrades.
Mr Joyce said Walcha Council will receive $1.09 million in funding under Round 4 of the Federal Liberal Nationals Government's Bridges to Renewal Program.
Funding includes $498,007 to replace the existing timber bridge on Glen Morrison Road, south of Walcha, with a new concrete structure. Total project cost for this bridge is $996,014.
A further $365,205 will be invested to upgrade the bridge on nearby Englefield Road, off Niangala Road. Total construction cost for this bridge is $730,410.
In addition, $233,992 in Australian Government funding will go toward the $467,985 upgrade of the bridge on Moona Plains Road, east of Walcha.
"Replacing worn out timber bridges such as those on Glen Morrison, Englefield and Moona Plains roads, ensures that important rural and regional road links are safer, more reliable and more efficient," Mr Joyce said.
"We are also funding upgrade of Wollun Road Bridge under an earlier round of the program and construction is due to start on this project in May.
"I am pleased that Walcha Council has received more funding for bridges under this round in yet more delivery for people in the New England."
The Bridges Renewal Program provides up to 50 per cent of the cost of repairing or replacing old and unsafe local bridges.
The media release claimed the Liberals and Nationals in Government are committing $640 million for vital bridgeworks between 2015-16 to 2022-23, with an ongoing commitment of $85 million each year thereafter.
Vanessa Arundale
Everyone has a story to tell and I like to help them do it.
Everyone has a story to tell and I like to help them do it.
