Four timber bridges on the Coffs Coast will be replaced with stronger, sturdier and more resilient concrete bridges under the NSW Government’s Fixing Country Bridges Program.
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said City of Coffs Harbour would receive more than $2.7 million to replace four bridges across the region.
“This is a fantastic announcement for our local community and will ensure we build more resilience into our road network,” Mr Singh said.
“We know these ageing timber bridges are just not up to the task anymore, especially during a flood so by replacing them with more modern materials we not only improve our network resilience but we also take the pressure off council to maintain them.
“As we’ve seen with the recent wet weather, a concrete structure can be the difference between reopening a road the day after it floods, or closing it for a week until an impacted bridge is assessed and repaired.”
City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Cr Paul Amos said: “With over 180 bridges in the City of Coffs Harbour local government area, keeping them maintained and replacing those that have come to the end of their useful lives is a major ongoing capital expenditure.
“They may not always be on the busiest of roads, but each one is an important link for the people that use them regularly. Funding contributions for these works are always welcome,” Cr Amos said.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the program was helping local councils upgrade their bridges and keep communities connected.
“We are building what matters through the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s $500 million Fixing Country Bridges program. We’ve already rolled out funding for more than 450 bridges,” Mr Farraway said.
“We are helping councils build bridges that are wider, higher and stronger and support greater load limits. Allowing greater volumes of freight will mean a boost for transport efficiencies and productivity in agriculture and other rural industries.
“These bridges will play a vital role in connecting rural and regional communities to markets, jobs and essential services such as schools and hospitals.
“Some bridges that have been replaced under this program withstood recent floods and continued to provide safe access for communities – had they still been made of timber, they would likely have been badly damaged or destroyed.”
City of Coffs Harbour will receive:
- $1,209,600 to upgrade Old Coast Road No 1 Bridge on Old Coast Road, Korora,
- $636,480 to upgrade Old Coast Road No 2 Bridge on Old Coast Road, Korora
- $548,032 to upgrade Poidevins Bridge at Upper Orara
- $396,360 to upgrade Taylors Bridge on Duffus Road, Upper Corindi
More than $300 million was awarded to councils under Round 1 of the Program, to replace more than 400 timber structures across 53 LGAs, and in July this year, a further $49.25 million was provided to replace 34 bridges across 21 LGAs.
