Local Government welcomes Coalition's bridge renewal program pledge
17 June 2010
Cr Geoff Lake, President of the Australian Local Government Association, welcomed the announcement today at the National General Assembly of Local Government by Warren Truss, the Leader of the Nationals, that if the Coalition was elected at the Federal election it would create a $600m program to fund the replacement of decaying and aging bridges.
The need to replace the estimated 30,000 old and timber bridges across Australia is a major cost that is beyond the capacity of rural and regional councils.
"Local government has been calling for a program to replace timber bridges for many years and this was included in ALGA's Local Roads and Transport Agenda launched this week as one of local government's funding priorities," Cr Lake said.
"The replacement of old bridges will have very significant economic benefits to local economies by allowing farmers to use the higher productivity trucks that will improve the efficiency of farming operations.
"It will also benefit local communities by improving access to schools, health and other community facilities."
Mr Truss said that the new program, which could be called Bridges to Recovery, would provide $300m over four years with matching funding required from local government and the State Governments.
Funding under the proposed Program would be distributed on a competitive application basis with priority given to community needs and economic returns.
Local government looks forward to hearing further details of how the program will operate and the joint funding arrangements.
Cr Lake also welcomed Mr Truss's commitment to the Coalition continuing the Roads to Recovery Program and to supporting a referendum in the next parliamentary term to include local government in the Australian Constitution.
"Roads to Recovery is vital to local government and I am pleased that Mr Truss has clarified the Coalition's policy," Cr Lake said.
- Media contacts:
- ALGA President, Cr Geoff Lake: 0411 645 281
- Amanda Lynch, ALGA Director Public Affairs, 0419 123 862
