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Roads | August 02, 2017

Road upgrades welcome but overdue

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP has praised a successful community campaign which has secured roads funding for critical upgrades to a number of regional roads including the Albacutya Bridge at Rainbow.

“I have been working closely with community groups and businesses for several years to get this funding and it is great that our lobbying has finally paid dividends”, Ms Kealy said.

“The Hindmarsh Shire Council and local community have worked tirelessly with me to obtain funding to replace the Albacutya Bridge, which is almost one hundred years old and at risk of closure due to age related structural damage. The bridge is a vital link for farmers, gypsum pit operators, school buses and tourists.

“Sealing of Winfields Road in Laharum is critical to the future expansion of Australian Wildflowers who have vigorously campaigned with me for this funding to enable their business to continue to grow.

“Wilkens Grain Receival Centre at Warracknabeal has also campaigned long and hard for improved access to their facility and I have been pleased to support them in their endeavours.

“Unfortunately it appears that Labor has again short changed our region with only $1.4 million allocated across all of these projects.

“Realistically the cost for all these projects to be completed would be in excess of $5 million, with Albacutya Bridge alone needing $3.3 million.

“I will continue to lobby the Andrews Labor Government to ensure that we get our fair share of funding so that these projects can be completed to an acceptable standard for the benefit of our local communities”, she said.