Sid Sidebottom MP
… for a fair go in Braddon
MEDIA RELEASE 4 February 2009
Oakleigh Park overpass set to start soon A major new railway overpass linking Burnie will be going ahead soon after receiving the final approval says the Federal Member for Braddon, Sid Sidebottom MP. Mr Sidebottom said the Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Maxine McKew, had signed off on the $500,000 in funding under the Better Regions program this week. “I remember in 2007 being approached by concerned pedestrians and the local council to help the Burnie community overcome this safety issue,” Mr Sidebottom said. “Martin Ferguson who was then shadow minister readily committed $500,000 to the project. “The funds were committed in the 2008 budget but the project was suspended by the Council subject to possible alternative safety solutions. “The initial proposal is now ready for construction and I look forward to working with the Burnie City Council and the State Government, which recently announced it would match the Federal funding, to see it completed as soon as possible.” Mr Sidebottom said the Oakleigh Park overpass was one of eight community infrastructure projects in the Burnie area worth $8.96 million, and added to other funding such as $10.94 million for school infrastructure, a $4.8 million autism centre and a $2.5m GP super clinic. “The overpass will allow a safe and secure link between the western part of Burnie and the rest of the city for pedestrians and cyclists, while allowing the Burnie Port to continue to be an important part of the local and state economy.”
For more information - Luke Sayer on 0458 311 355