The NSW Government has announced four more bridges in the Tamworth region are due for replacement thanks to Round Two of the $500 million Fixing Country Bridges Program.

$1.648 million has been approved for Tamworth Regional Council to upgrade Durbin Street Bridge in Nundle, Mick Mahers Bridge in Moonbi, Norris’s Bridge in Somerton and Walters Bridge in Duri.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the old timber bridges had served the community well for generations, but now was the time to bring them in line with modern standards and allow greater heavy vehicle movement.

“Over the past few years, the NSW Government has provided significant funding opportunities to allow councils to upgrade and replace existing timber bridges, ensuring they continue to serve the community for generations to come,” Mr Anderson said.

“Stronger bridges mean more traffic can move across waterways and gullies and allows heavier vehicles to get from paddock to plate more easily.”\

This latest announcement comes after the NSW Government provided $7.13 million from the Fixing Country Roads program last year to replace bridges across the electorate. Tamworth Regional Council will now have just three timber bridges left to replace.

Tamworth Region Mayor Russell Webb said the Fixing Country Timber Bridges program has been a much appreciated source of funding for local bridge improvements.

“Replacing deteriorating timber bridges with new concrete structures has a been a great benefit for our local transport network,” he said.

“Council would not have been able to tackle the bridge upgrades without a funding source like this.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said $49.25 million has been awarded to replace 34 timber bridges with concrete bridges across 21 Local Government Areas (LGA).

“Our government is getting on with the job of building infrastructure to better withstand extreme weather events and protect our supply chain,” Mr Farraway said.

“That’s why we’re pushing ahead with Round 2A of the Fixing Country Bridges program in LGAs where councils are ready to get work, so these projects can get started.

“We’ll continue to work with councils across the rest of the state, many of which have been hit hard by natural disasters like floods to firm up the remaining bridges.

“With each bridge replaced, we’re opening up more efficient routes for heavy vehicles from freight to the local school bus and RFS tankers.

“Improving access for freight companies helps them to reduce their operational costs, which will ultimately reduce costs for NSW families when buying the goods at the local supermarket.” 

A total of $290 million has already been awarded to councils under Round 1 of Fixing Country Bridges to replace more than 400 timber structures across 54 LGAs across the state.

Councils will have 30 days to accept the funding on offer and will deliver their projects within 30 months of signing the funding agreement.

The outcome of all other eligible applications submitted in Round 2 of the Fixing Country Bridges Program is expected to be announced towards the end of 2022.