Betterment funds flow for Toowoomba

Toowoomba’s regional road network will be made more resilient to future floods thanks to nearly $8 million from the Newman Government’s Betterment Fund.

Premier Campbell Newman announced the funding after Cabinet in Toowoomba on Monday, giving details of one of the largest flood upgrade packages for any Queensland council so far.

“There are projects throughout the greater Toowoomba region that will service not just the city but also Kingsthorpe, Millmerran, Clifton, Pittsworth, Blackbutt and their surrounding communities,” Mr Newman said.

“These roads are important for children travelling to school, for residents travelling to work, and for primary producers transporting cattle and produce to market.

“In many cases, these roads are vital links for emergency services to access local communities.

“The upgrades will reduce the impact of flooding in the future and are part of our election promise to deliver better infrastructure across Queensland.”

Toowoomba Regional Council will receive $4,616,994 to build a new bridge over Gowrie Creek on Kingsthorpe Haden Road and upgrade frequently damaged floodways on Pipeline Road, Leslie Bridge Road, Iron Bark Drive, Ravensbourne Dip Road, Glenvale Road, Trapp Road, McGreevy Road and O’Conner Road.

A further $1,606,376 will be given for upgrading the existing culverts on Greenwattle Street and Nukku Road, as well as strengthening the existing pavement.

Upgrading the Paddy Creek floodway on Western Creek-Bulli Creek Road and the Hodgson Creek Bridge on the Clifton-Pittsworth Road will receive an additional $1,533,945.

To drive the dollar further, Toowoomba Regional Council will provide $2,287,801 to improve the infrastructure standard.

Community Recovery and Resilience Minister David Crisafulli said the $80 million Betterment Fund was part of the Newman Government’s push to end Labor’s wasteful approach of rebuilding the same infrastructure in the same position that was washed away again the next time it flooded.

“This government has a clear vision for Queensland,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“The Betterment Fund will save communities the heartache and expense of repeatedly replacing vulnerable infrastructure.

“It may cost a little more in the short term but in the long haul we’ll save Queenslanders money by rebuilding flood-damaged public infrastructure in a smarter way that makes it more resilient to future floods.

“With the heartache caused by repeated flooding, it’s common sense to build more flood resilient infrastructure so the community can bounce back more quickly when the next flood comes.”

The Betterment Fund is a Queensland Government initiative, funded by the State and Federal Governments to help councils build less damage-prone public infrastructure.

[ENDS] 25 November 2013

MeMMedia Contact:          Premier’s office 3719 7000, Monica Rostron 0409 126 332 (Minister)