More than 20 antiquated bridges made of wood across Australia are set to be upgraded or replaced with concrete structures under the federal government’s Bridges Renewal Program (BRP).
$50.3 million has been allocated from the annual $85 million program for the works to be carried out on 23 bridges across South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria, with the majority in Queensland and NSW.
State, Territory and Local Governments can apply year-round for funding allocation from the BRP, with the Minister for Infrastructure reviewing the applications batched in February, May, August and November each year, depending on demand.
The latest batch announced includes:
QLD – councils for Toowoomba, Rockhampton, and Noosa Shire all have one bridge each while Ipswich and Hinchinbrook Shire Councils each have two.
SA – Alexandrina Council bridge in Kuitpo.
WA – City of Greater Geraldton Council, one bridge in Walkaway.
NSW – three bridges under the Port Macquarie Hastings Council; two bridges under Hay Shire Council; and Queanbeyan-Palerang, Armidale, Eurobodalla Shire and Goulburn Mularee Councils all have one bridge each.
TAS – West Tamar Council, York Town bridge.
VIC – Hepburn Shire and Monash City Councils have one bridge each while the state Department of Transport has two, one in Heyfield and the other in Wodonga.
About the author
Desi Corbett
Desi is the Editor of Concrete in Australia and at the helm of our magazine for 8 years. She was behind the Institute's weekly news bulletins from 2016-2021 and is now writing our focused news items. Desi has been an engineering news and features journalist/editor across all disciplines since 2013 - part of a 30-year career writing for a wide range of industries.