Posted 12 August 2025
Council have been successful in obtaining an Australian Government grant through Tranche 2 of the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program to replace the existing Frenchs Creek Bridge on Haas Road, Legerwood.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Hon. Catherine King said, "The Albanese Government is working with local governments to deliver and maintain transport infrastructure that increases productivity and makes our communities safer.
“We have increased funding under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program to make sure we continue to invest in better, safer local roads across all states and territories.
“This funding will enable local councils to improve road safety in a way that reduces the burden on them, cutting red tape and administrative burden to allow more money and time to be spent directly on projects.”
This project will replace the current degraded timber bridge over Frenchs Creek on Haas Road, Legerwood with a new raised concrete structure on its existing alignment with an expected useful life of 80 years.
Dorset General Manager, John Marik said, "This was Dorset Council’s third attempt to secure Federal funding for the replacement of Frenchs Creek Bridge, Haas Road, Legerwood. It is an essential infrastructure upgrade that Council had fully budgeted for in 2025/26. I acknowledge and thank the Federal Government for awarding Council’s project under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program.
This project will have $330,400 funded federally, with Council contributing $82,600. I applaud and thank Dorset Council staff for their persistence in securing this outcome—one of only 2 Tasmanian councils, and one of just 23 projects nationally, to be funded under the $63 million program."
To read the full media release from the Minister, click here.