BOWMAN MP Andrew Laming said it was unlikely an application for first round funding for a bridge to Russell Island would be made before a November 28 deadline.
Mr Laming was speaking out after Redland City Bulletin correctly pointed out funding from the National Stronger Regional Fund Program could not be used for feasibility studies.
Mr Laming said assembling a complex and large funding application for a bridge would take months but hopefully would be ready by the time of the next round of grants.
“There is potentially five rounds of grants over the next five years and we definitely will not have an application in for the first round,” he said.
“I can’t speak on behalf of anyone applying for the grant but the intention is to use the grant for the first stages of a bridge construction if it were found to be economically beneficial for the island population.
“The money is for bridge construction keeping in mind that includes the approaches to the bridge, road work and construction of the bridge itself.”
Mr Laming said the grant would be allocated for projects judged as benefiting economically isolated communities.
