Betterment funds flow for the Central Highlands

Some of the most flood-prone rural roads in the Central Highlands will be made more resilient through the Newman Government’s Betterment Fund.

Community Recovery and Resilience Minister David Crisafulli said the Central Highlands Regional Council had received $832,694 to upgrade 10 existing gravel floodways, washed out in 2011 and again this year, with stronger concrete structures.

“These roads are the only way in and out for residents and farmers, providing vital links to emergency services and supplies during natural disasters,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“They are part of the local school bus route and service cattle, grain producers, loggers and the local mining industry.

“All 10 roads have been severely damaged more than once by flooding and by spending a little more now we can make the recovery from the next flood event a lot easier.”

Council will replace the damaged gravel floodways with stronger concrete structures and stabilised gravel approaches to prevent repeated washouts.

The roads to be improved include Brolga Gully Road, Conomarra Road, Raby Creek Road, Maddens Road, Taylors Creek Road, Conciliation Creek Road, Spring Hill Road, Eight Mile Road, Malvern Road, and Wyuna Road.

“These betterment works will not only improve the floodways but also increase the entire region’s resilience when it floods again,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“It’s important that locals can get to emergency help, schools, supplies and jobs as quickly as possible once the water recedes.”

The $80 million Betterment Fund is a Queensland Government initiative jointly funded by the State and Federal Governments to give councils the chance to rebuild flood damaged public infrastructure to a more resilient standard.

[ENDS]  25 October 2013

Media Contact: Monica Rostron 0409 126 332 or Andrew Longmire 0418 216 627