Colac Otway secures almost $300,000 for bridge renewal
May 2, 2019
Colac Otway Shire Council has secured almost $300,000 in Federal Government funding towards the replacement of two deteriorating timber bridges in the Otways.
Council has been successful in gaining a $185,800 contribution to replace a bridge crossing the Gellibrand River on the Upper Gellibrand Road, with a total project cost of $371,600.
The Federal Government will also provide $107,200 towards the $214,400 replacement of a bridge on Jackson's Track at Gellibrand which crosses Lardner Creek East Branch.
Council's Infrastructure and Leisure Services General Manager Tony McGann said the funding boost would allow Council to include the two new bridges in the next financial year's works program.
“Council is really pleased that our two funding applications through round four of the Federal Bridges Renewal Program have been successful,” Mr McGann said.
“Colac Otway has 106 bridges to maintain across the shire and while some of them don't have a high volume of traffic they provide essential access to properties for residents, milk tankers, log trucks and the growing number of tourists visiting our region.
“Officers work hard to monitor and assess the condition of all these bridges, prioritise projects, start the planning process and submit quality, detailed applications for appropriate grants programs,” he said.
“The Federal Government selected 126 projects across Australia for funding under the current round of its bridge renewal program, so it's great that two of those are in Colac Otway.”
The bridges renewal criteria included “projects that would enhance access for local communities and facilitate higher productivity vehicle access”, funding up to 50 per cent of the total cost.
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