Garth Hamilton joins calls for upgrade of notorious single-lane bridge at Cooyar
A federal minister has responded to calls for the Albanese Government to reinstate a defunct regional funding grant, with the Queensland government yet to commit to a major upgrade of a single-lane bridge on the New England Highway.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Groom MP Garth Hamilton has joined the growing chorus of Darling Downs and South Burnett residents calling for a major upgrade of a notorious single-lane bridge on the New England Highway.
Mr Hamilton said it shouldn’t take tragic events such as a near-fatal crash that left a man in a critical condition on June 23 to raise the importance of this priority project.
The now defunct federal funding grant Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program helped fund a number of crucial roads and infrastructure projects around the region, including upgrading the timber Melrose Bridge at Brookstead.
Mr Hamilton said this grant, which was implemented to alleviate the financial burden on already struggling councils to deliver vital roads and community infrastructure projects, would have been ideal solution to upgrade the bridge.
“The LRCI grants made a huge difference to the Toowoomba Regional Council budget and it was one of my election promises to have this funding reinstated,” he said.
“(Back Creek Bridge) is a perfect example of a vital project that this grant could’ve contributed to.”
Mr Hamilton said he was in the process of writing a letter to federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King requesting the LRCI grant be reinstated for regional communities.
In a statement to News Corp, Ms King said there are a variety of programs under the Albanese Government supporting local government to deliver vital projects to their communities.
“The Queensland Government or local council are able to submit a funding application for Back Creek Bridge at Cooyar under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program. Applications can be submitted year-round and funding is awarded in up to three tranches per year,” she said.
“In recognition that local councils, especially in the regions, need additional support to maintain and repair their local road networks, we are doubling the Roads to Recovery Program to $1 billion per year, giving every council in Australia double the funding to fix its roads.
“Over this current five-year funding period, more than $36 million in Roads to Recovery funding is available to Toowoomba Regional Council to support the construction and maintenance of local roads in the region.”
Mr McDonald said the state government holds responsibility for the bridge and could consider federal funding options through programs Bridges Renewal Program and Black Spot Funding.
“The ongoing delays in upgrading Back Creek Bridge continue to pose significant risks to motorists and freight operators,” he said.
“Council echoes the calls by community members urging the Queensland government to prioritise funding and expedite the construction of a safer, modern bridge to prevent further accidents and ensure the safety of all road users.”
South Burnett mayor Kathy Duff said in a statement council would support and welcome the upgrade of the bridge to two lanes.
Darling Downs residents Janet Howie and Ken Gordon are both lucky to be alive after being involved in separate accidents on the single-lane bridge, with Ms Howie left suffering long-term injuries.
Mr Gordon told this publication it was an ‘absolute disgrace’ the bridge hasn’t been upgraded.
Despite Ms Frecklington raising safety concerns about the bridge with the previous Labor government and demanding action in 2020, 2021, and 2022, funding for the bridge to be upgraded was not allocated in the LNP’s first budget since returning to government.
“I stand by my longstanding calls for upgrades to the Back Creek Bridge, and completely agree with the readers of the Toowoomba Chronicle who voted in favour of the bridge upgrade,” she said.
“This remains a priority for me, after the former Labor government left behind an enormous $8bn road maintenance backlog across Queensland.
“As we start chipping away at the lengthy backlog of Labor’s underfunded roads across Queensland, I am proud to have secured funding to progress works at the Tandurignie Bridge, near Cooyar – another local bridge in desperate need of replacement.”
News Corp has mapped 17 crashes on or near the bridge in the past two decades, with more than 20 requiring hospitalisation, however doesn’t suggest the bridge is the cause of all crashes.
A spokesperson for the Crisafulli Government said they support the upgrade of Cooyar’s Back Creek Bridge.
“The Crisafulli Government supports the upgrade of the Cooyar Back Creek Bridge with the Department of Transport and Main Roads currently undertaking planning work,” the spokesman said.
Treasurer and Member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki said the Queensland budget has invested a record $41.7bn in transport and main roads across the state, including funding to progress works at the Tanduringie Bridge near Cooyar.
Mr Janetzki said planning for Back Creek Bridge upgrades is underway.
More Coverage
Originally published as Garth Hamilton joins calls for upgrade of notorious single-lane bridge at Cooyar
Wild scenes unfold outside nightclub during woman’s arrest
A Toowoomba woman caught with her pants down outside a nightclub has fronted court for her belligerent and drunk shenanigans during a night out on the town.
Worst behaved primary students: Suspension rates of 800+ Qld schools
New data reveals Queensland’s worst behaved primary students, with one school of just 330 children recording a staggering 197 disciplinary absences in 2024. THREE YEARS OF DATA, INTERACTIVE MAP