More than 350 projects will share in more than $290 million in Australian Government funding under schemes committed to improving heavy vehicle safety.
This will include communities ravaged by drought, regional councils and a major livestock exchange.
As part of the latest rounds of the Bridges Renewal Program (BRP) and the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the funding would improve the productivity and safety of bridges and heavy vehicle routes nationwide.
“I am pleased to deliver more than $290 million in funding to help upgrade and replace bridges that have been damaged or are deteriorating, while improving key heavy vehicle infrastructure right across the nation,” he said in a statement.
“With nearly 80 per cent of this funding going to local councils, the outcome of these rounds will support local workers, households and businesses through a difficult time and position the Australian economy for a strong recovery,” said McCormack.
“By improving our road network, this funding will also help keep people safe on our roads while making key freight routes more efficient, delivering long-term benefits to drivers, businesses and local communities.
“This includes our truckies who form an essential part of the backbone of our national economy and have been working tirelessly during COVID-19 to keep shelves stocked, hospitals supplied and the economy running.”
The latest funding announcement is expected to support additional jobs and the economy at a time it’s needed most according to McCormack.
“This is just the latest example of the funding flowing under our record $100 billion infrastructure pipeline, with the continued roll out of road infrastructure projects supporting local jobs, underpinning economic growth and making sure all Australians can reach their destinations sooner and safer,” he said.
Nearly $146.97 million in funding will go to councils affected by bushfires, drought or both.
The Federal Government expects that this will help to facilitate and fast-track the highest priority infrastructure projects.
To this end, Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz confirmed that 50 per cent of this funding would benefit communities affected by the ongoing drought and last summer’s bushfires.
“Round 7 of the HVSPP includes livestock transport industry projects that will directly support communities currently impacted by drought, such as Longreach Regional Council in Queensland, who were successful in securing federal funding to upgrade the popular Western Queensland Livestock Exchange,” he said.
“This project will upgrade the loading and unloading ramps at the facility to improve traffic movement, providing secure work on the books of local contractors and businesses who have felt the cumulative impact of drought and now COVID-19 during construction while delivering lasting benefits to the region for years to come.
“This is just one example of the many impactful projects being funded, with Round 5 of the BRP also providing an opportunity for many councils to begin the process of replacing or upgrading bridges damaged in recent bushfire events.
“Already more than 500 projects funded through the BRP and HVSPP across the country have either been completed or are well underway and I look forward to getting shovels in the ground on these next projects.”