Parliament passes changes to flood laws

In the first sitting of Queensland’s Parliament for the year, the Newman Government has pushed through changes to the law that will help flood-affected communities recover as quickly as possible.

Community Recovery and Resilience Minister David Crisafulli introduced the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Amendment Bill 2013 to Parliament on Wednesday. The Bill was passed in a late sitting last night.

“This just shows how quickly the Government will act to help Queensland rebuild,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“The recovery and reconstruction of affected communities is the immediate priority for all Queenslanders, and we’ll do what it takes to deliver that.”

The changes will amend the definition of “disaster event” to include storms, floods and tornadoes from ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald and extends and expands the role of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.

Mr Crisafulli said the emphasis was now on building a more resilient Queensland.

“That goal is reflected in these changes,” he said.

“We’ll never flood-proof a state as big and diverse as Queensland, but we can do a better job at building more durable infrastructure.

“If an asset has been replaced over and over again, it’s time that we look at building it differently or in a better location.

“It’s time to rebuild with a view to the future, not the past.

“I’ll be working closely with Queensland mayors and councillors to bring about the results their communities want.

“The changes to the Act will give us the scope to achieve that.”

[ENDS] 15 February 2013

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