Llew O'Brien (Wide Bay, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The new Orealla Crescent bridge at Sunrise Beach is a major feat of quality Australian workmanship and engineering and a great example of this government's commitment to working with local councils to fund safer, more reliable local roads and bridges. It was built using a lego-style construction with 40 tonnes of Australian steel, more than 210 cubic metres of concrete, 140 tonnes of asphalt and 32 concrete wall panel and deck units. This state-of-the-art bridge will be used by more than 12,000 vehicles every day, improving Noosa's road network and boosting the movement of freight. It's got a 166-tonne rating and a lifespan of 100 years, which means it'll cater to Noosa's traffic needs for generations to come. Importantly, the project generated more than 50 local jobs, involving 34 suppliers, creating much-needed jobs as we recover from COVID-19. It was funded with a fifty-fifty split between the coalition government's Bridges Renewal Program and Noosa Shire Council. The unique design and construction helped keep costs much lower than originally budgeted, slashing nearly $3 million from the initial projected $6.3 million. That's a big win for Noosa ratepayers and a big saving for Australian taxpayers.