As many as 11 bridges on the Coffs Coast will be replaced at a cost of $4.5m in the NSW Government’s $500 million Fixing Country Bridges program.
They are Bobo Bridge, Archers, Hosches, Cassidys, Becketts, Craiges, Mardells, Little Nymboida, Williams, Hallgaths, McClellands.
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said replacing old timber bridges means improved community connections to schools, towns and jobs, allowing easier movement of freight and delivering better outcomes for road safety.
“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 Singh said.
“I’m glad that in my electorate, we’re going to see new bridges under this new round of funding because I know what a difference they’ll make to entire communities.”
Coffs Harbour Mayor Councillor Denise Knight welcomed the funding announcement.
“While many of our older timber bridges are not usually on the busiest local roads, they are very important links for the residents and businesses who use them regularly, so I’m thrilled that we’re going to be able to provide these local communities with brand new bridges with the support of the NSW Government,” Cr Knight said.
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,” Mr Barilaro said.
Successful applications are timber bridges, located on a council-managed road which are not a heritage or truss bridge and are a priority asset to council. A second round of the program will be offered later this year.
