Strong recovery for Bundaberg

Bundaberg is bouncing back more quickly from the devastating 2013 floods than from previous natural disasters thanks to the most efficient recovery drive in Queensland history.

Announcing more than $1 million in Royalties for the Regions funding to upgrade Bartholdt Drive as an evacuation route for more than 1,100 residents, Community Recovery and Resilience Minister David Crisafulli said Bundaberg was an example to the rest of the state.

“Since January 2013, we have worked closely with the council to get work started to fix flood-damaged roads, floodways, bridges and other council assets,” Mr Crisafulli said 

“The floods caused widespread damage but in less than 18 months we have already reached the halfway point with about $56 million worth of work completed.

“In contrast, it took the former Government 18 months just to issue tenders.”

 The flood of 2013 sparked the Newman Government’s strong plan to rebuild in a smarter, more resilient way through the establishment of the $80 million Betterment program, jointly funded by the State and Federal Governments.

Mr Crisafulli said Bundaberg had received funding for 18 Betterment projects worth a combined $15 million to restore flood-damaged infrastructure to a higher standard with work on Bucca Road, Heales Road and Gentle Annie Bridge already completed.

Betterment works are also underway on the Millbank Wastewater Plant, Halford Drive, Marshall Avenue, Sheepstation Creek Road, Barretts Road, Blacks Road, Coonarr Road, Miara Road, Goondoon Road, Top Waterloo Road, Wallaville Road and the Monduran Dam Access Road.

 Mr Crisafulli said the Newman Government was just as focussed on flood prevention.

“We have contributed $800,000 towards two new levees at Technology Park and given council more than $200,000 to upgrade and expand rainfall gauges and mapping as part of Bundaberg’s Early Warning Network,” he said.

“We are also investing more than $2 million to stabilise the riverbank at the former Midtown Marina site and transform it into parkland and open space locals can be truly proud of.

“While we will never flood-proof Bundaberg we are doing everything we can to protect the community and make it stronger so they can have a brighter future.”

[ENDS] 24 June 2014

Media Contact: Andrew Longmire 0418 216 627/Emily McCowat 0418 524 028