North Burnett stronger than ever

The signature project of the Queensland Government's Betterment Fund to improve the resilience of flood-prone infrastructure has been officially commissioned in Gayndah, signalling an end to the madness of replacing damaged infrastructure to the same standard.

Community Recovery and Resilience Minister David Crisafulli said the Gayndah water supply intake station on the Burnett River had been moved upstream of the Claude Wharton Weir  and made stronger after it was destroyed in 2011, and again in 2013 only weeks after being repaired.

“This is a milestone project that will safeguard the facility and the supply of fresh water to the community for generations,” Mr Crisafulli said.

Deputy Premier and Member for Callide, Jeff Seeney said the new infrastructure showed the State Government was delivering on its promise to rebuild Queensland’s regions.

“This common-sense investment will reduce the impact of future flood events on the town’s water supply, ensuring residents get the water they need at critical times.”

Mr Crisafulli said works to the $4 million pump station included the installation of a new pipeline to Claude Wharton Weir, the construction of a submersible pump station and a water intake system upstream of the weir. 

“There’s no doubt it costs more to do this job at a different location, but had the former government been capable of planning properly last time, money would have been saved and the community spared repeated heartache.”

Betterment works along the $6.4 million Gayndah-Mundubbera Road have also been completed, which included raising the section of road at Riverbend by around five metres.

Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd said the completion of both projects was a great team effort between all levels of Government.

“I congratulate Council for its vision and management of these projects to see them delivered in the time-frame it has,” Mr O’Dowd said.  

North Burnett Mayor Don Waugh said the completion of flood restoration works was a big win for Council and the community, who had endured so much.

“Every day we are working to improve the lives of residents in the North Burnett, and I thank the entire community for their patience and support throughout the recovery process.”

[ENDS] 21 August 2014

Media Contact: Emily McCowat 0418 524 028