Betterment funds flow for Fraser Coast

The Poona community’s only connection road to emergency services, schools and supplies in Gympie and Maryborough will be upgraded as part of the Newman Government’s push to make flood-ravaged communities more resilient.

Community Recovery and Resilience Minister David Crisafulli announced in Poona today that Poona Road, damaged twice by floods in two years, would be one of five ‘betterment’ projects for the region.

“In the past, the guidelines for replacing infrastructure have been so rigid and bureaucratic that councils were only allowed to rebuild structures to the same standard in the same location,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“What the betterment project does is enable local communities to put forward a solution that might cost a little more up front but will save us all paying for damage over and over again.

“Poona Road is the lifeline for services and supplies for about 740 residents who deserve better than to be frequently cut off by flooding.

“It was extensively damaged in 2011 and was only fully repaired in December 2012 before it was washed away again this year.”

Fraser Coast Regional Council will replace the damaged bitumen floodway with concrete, and build concrete approaches to the table drains.

The four other roads in the Fraser Coast region to receive betterment funding include Moorabinda Drive at Sunshine Acres, River Heads Road, Cherry Tree Road at Glenwood, and Boundary Road at Oakhurst.

The total betterment component for the five projects is $1,886,597.

“Country roads are the lifeblood of rural communities and it’s vital we do everything we can to keep these access roads open during natural disasters,” Mr Crisafulli said.

The betterment project is jointly funded by the State and Federal Governments, but falls well short of what is required.

“It’s my intention to achieve great value for money on this fund and end the madness of replacing like for like.”

[ENDS] 12 June 2013

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                                  Andrew Longmire 0418 216 627