Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor has praised the innovation of a Goulburn entrepreneur in designing and constructing a modular bridge for use in Australia and overseas.

Today, Mr Taylor joined local builder and bridge designer, Bruce Mullaney, and company executives at the launch of the first prototype bridge at Boxers Creek.

Mr Taylor said innovation was at the heart of the success of the company Lifting Point.

“Businesses with incentives to grow and create, will just do it. They need freedom and encouragement to get on and solve real world problems and this is exactly what Bruce and his team have done.

“In this case, a local businessman has been able to bring a brilliant idea to life, producing a rapidly deployable, pre-engineered bridge that can be easily transported and installed at sites across Australia, and for international markets.”

“This business will keep growing as its prototype hits the market, both here and overseas, building on an Australian idea, using Australian steel and workers.”

Mr Taylor commented that “Australian manufacturing is often able to solve problems without being constrained by accepted thinking and methods. By coming at it from a different angle, you can discover a novel solution for the market.”

Lifting Point, initially a family business, formed collaborative partnerships with leading industry partners to get the concept off the ground. Australian Reinforcing Company (ARC) provided major support by supplying the reinforcing steel and prefabrication and Australian engineering firm SMEC offered their expertise for the initial project.

The project has also been underpinned by federal funding in the form of Research and Development (R&D) and Export Market Development (EMDG) grants and has attracted the backing of international company Toyota Tsusho Australasia.

Caption: Angus Taylor and Member for Goulburn Pru Goward launch a prototype bridge at Boxers Creek near Goulburn, an innovative modular design by local company Lifting Point.