LNP unveils $80 million Better Bridges Program

• LNP’s $80 million Better Bridges Program will see major upgrades and safety improvements to 11 infrastructure projects across the state
• The LNP’s Buy Local policy would apply to the Better Bridges Program to ensure local businesses and contractors were able to compete on a level playing field
• Regional Queensland residents have suffered from a lack of new infrastructure projects for too long under Annastacia Palaszczuk

A Tim Nicholls-led LNP Government will invest $80 million to improve and upgrade key bridges across Regional Queensland.

LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Infrastructure Minister Deb Frecklington said the $80 million Better Bridges Program would invest in 11 much-needed bridge upgrade projects across the state.

She said the Better Bridges Program was just one of the features of the LNP’s comprehensive State Infrastructure Plan.

“Labor isn’t interested in investing in regional infrastructure and they are certainly not interested in investing in the bridge projects our state needs,” Ms Frecklington said.

“This program will include replacing timber bridges, safety works on existing bridges, improved signage for motorists and capacity upgrades to increase bridge load limits.

“This investment will also see much-needed safety upgrades across the 11 projects to decrease the risk of serious and fatal crashes on bridges, especially older, single-lane bridges.”

Ms Frecklington said these 11 projects would also create much-needed local jobs and stimulate regional communities across the Sunshine Coast, Lockyer Valley, Western Queensland, Central Queensland and North Queensland.

“Regional Queensland residents have suffered from a lack of new infrastructure projects for too long under Annastacia Palaszczuk,” she said.

“Alarmingly, there is a jobs crisis in Regional Queensland with the unemployment rate in some parts of the state nudging 60 per cent.

“Enough is enough – only the LNP can be trusted to build the bridges Queensland needs.”

Ms Frecklington said the LNP’s Buy Local policy would ensure local contractors and businesses which wanted to submit a tender to construct these projects did so with the confidence they were competing on a level playing field.

“Labor has failed to support Queensland small businesses, with countless examples of government contracts being awarded to interstate and overseas companies,” she said.

“Our comprehensive Buy Local policy would apply to our Better Bridges Program and we make no apologies for putting local businesses, contractors and jobs first.

“Labor has neglected our regions for far too long and taken Regional Queenslanders for granted.

“I am proud to be part of a team that will ensure Regional Queensland no longer misses out on its fair share.”

BETTER BRIDGES PROGRAM:

• $35 million towards Boyne River Bridge Replacement
• $5 million upgrade to the wooden bridge at Running Creek to improve safety and road capacity
• $10 million upgrade to the wooden bridge at Coondoo Creek to improve safety and road capacity
• $6.5 million towards upgrading King John Creek Bridge at Elimbah
• $5 million towards upgrading Cooyar Bridge/New England Hwy at Cooyar
• $5 million towards upgrading Tchanning Creek Bridge/Condamine Hwy at Roma
• $2.5 million towards upgrading Harpers Crossing Bridge/Mt Alford Rd, Boonah
• $800,000 towards upgrading Springton Creek Bridge/Capricorn Hwy at Dingo
• $575,000 towards Wegners Road Bridge Replacement at North Arm
• $255,000 towards reconstructing Cran Bridge/Stockyard Creek Rd in the Lockyer Valley
• $100,000 towards resurfacing Mount Vexation Bridge at Emerald

Photo: With Member for Gympie, Tony Perrett at Coondoo Creek Bridge north of Gympie.