Ken O'Dowd (Flynn, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to announce the opening of round three of the federal government's $360 million Bridges Renewal Program. Why is this program so important to the bush? Road networks are vital to the economy. Ag is booming and access to markets is vital. Poor bridges and load limits stop roads from being road train or B-double rated. The days of the old eight-tonne flattop truck are gone. Since the program started, around $211 million has been invested in 204 bridges across the nation. In the first two rounds, Flynn received $8.6 billion for eight bridges across the electorate, mainly for replacing old timber bridges that were built in the 1940s and 1950s with modern steel and concrete structures. This included $1.6 million for the Monduran bridge, outside Bundaberg; $2.3 million for the Callide Creek bridge at Biloela and $2.2 million for the Deep Creek bridge between Mundubbera and Gayndah. There are other smaller projects like the Louisa Creek bridge at Garnant. There are great opportunities for state and local governments to get on board and I thank them for their efforts in the past.