Options open for Ingham flood protection

Hinchinbrook Shire Council has been urged to make flood mitigation its number one priority after Ingham was cut in two by floodwaters following Tropical Cyclone Ita.

Community Recovery and Resilience Minister David Crisafulli said locals were regularly isolated from emergency services and supplies for days at a time and more needed to be done.

“As a local boy, I know what it means to have the town divided and the impact it has on residents and businesses,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“I’m urging Council to fast-track design work on a bridge connecting the northern and southern parts of town to prevent it from being divided after heavy rain.

“The Treasurer is currently talking with Queenslanders about the Strong Choices needed to fund future infrastructure and these are the vital projects that should be thrown into the mix. 

“Ingham is often isolated through frequent flooding of the Bruce Highway and while we are committed to fixing the Bruce, we are just as determined to better protect locals.”

Mr Crisafulli said the Newman Government was embarking on the most ambitious infrastructure plan in a generation to protect vulnerable Queensland communities.

“This year we have about $47 million for flood mitigation projects to help turn around years of Labor inaction,” he said.

“We promised at the election to deliver better infrastructure and better planning where the previous government failed.

“We are doing our part, but I’m also calling on councils to put forward plans to protect their communities and help make Queensland the most disaster resilient state in Australia.”

[ENDS] 1 May 2014

Media Contact: Andrew Longmire 0418 216 627