“Batemans Bay needs a shot in the arm and a project of the magnitude of the duplication of the bridge will provide that,” he said.

“There will be long-lasting economic benefits to come from the project when coupled with the opportunity to also address the intersection of the Kings and Princes highways.

“Benefits to flow from this project would include jobs during the construction phase, and with reduced travel times, additional visitor numbers all year round.

“It would also increase the viability of the bypass extension by eliminating a bottleneck and not moving it from one place to another.”

He is not surprised that questions have been raised about the amount of money that will need to be spent.

“When large sums of money are attached to projects, there will always be arguments for and against, and whether the money could be better spent elsewhere,” he said.

Moruya Business Chamber president Steve Picton said that the government was “planning for the future” with the bridge duplication.

“Assets reach a point in their life where they need replacement and the current arrangement holds up traffic on the river and the road,” he said.

“I’m okay with this, but in terms of priority, the Moruya airport would be high on my list, although that is largely a federal issue.

“The Narooma bridge would be a priority, but slightly less than Batemans Bay.”

Related coverage: Atkinson: Libs asset stripping the state: http://www.batemansbaypost.com.au/story/2922549/atkinson-libs-asset-stripping-the-state/?cs=229