Published Monday, 19 March, 2007 at 12:00 AM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
$280 MILLION ON QUEENSLAND’S CYCLONE RECOVERY: PREMIER
The Queensland Government has spent an estimated $280 million on the Cyclone Larry recovery effort – and the work continues, Premier Peter Beattie said.
Assistance has been provided in a range of programs to clear debris, provide emergency housing and help Queenslanders who lost their jobs as a result of Larry get back to work.
“So much has been achieved but there is more to do,” Mr Beattie said.
“Tuesday marks one year since Cyclone Larry hit, with 290 kph winds destroying buildings, flattening crops and destroying livelihoods,” he said.
“But in Larry’s wake came one of the biggest relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts mounted in Queensland’s history, and the community spirit is truly inspirational.”
Mr Beattie said the State Government’s expenditure includes:
• $6.6 million for emergency, medium and longer-term accommodation;
• $12 million in grants to repair and replace essential household items and repair dwellings;
• $10 million for employment initiatives to get people back to work;
• $23.5 million to repair state-controlled and national roads;
• $2.7 million for business grants and related support;
• $65.3 million to 20 councils to assist their emergency and post-disaster repairs;
• $1.5 million to repair and replace public assets held by hospitals, as well as provide flu vaccinations, interpreter services and mental health services;
• $3.3 million to remove debris from waterways, repair and restore dams and related work;
• $113 million on Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority concessional loans for primary producers and small businesses;
• $7.5 million to clean-up and remove debris from farms;
• $15 million to repair State Government infrastructure;
• $8 million on counter disaster operations to assist local community efforts;
• $0.2 million for Corrective Services work camps to aid community operations;
• $0.4 million towards a tourism marketing campaign and promotional activities;
• $10.5 million on environmental protection activities including ongoing clean-up of national parks and access roads; feeding stations and food drops for cassowaries.
Mr Beattie said the State would recoup a proportion of the expenditure under various disaster cost sharing arrangements with the Commonwealth but Queensland would continue supporting local communities across the Far North for as long as it takes.
Media Contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4550
March 19, 2007
Assistance has been provided in a range of programs to clear debris, provide emergency housing and help Queenslanders who lost their jobs as a result of Larry get back to work.
“So much has been achieved but there is more to do,” Mr Beattie said.
“Tuesday marks one year since Cyclone Larry hit, with 290 kph winds destroying buildings, flattening crops and destroying livelihoods,” he said.
“But in Larry’s wake came one of the biggest relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts mounted in Queensland’s history, and the community spirit is truly inspirational.”
Mr Beattie said the State Government’s expenditure includes:
• $6.6 million for emergency, medium and longer-term accommodation;
• $12 million in grants to repair and replace essential household items and repair dwellings;
• $10 million for employment initiatives to get people back to work;
• $23.5 million to repair state-controlled and national roads;
• $2.7 million for business grants and related support;
• $65.3 million to 20 councils to assist their emergency and post-disaster repairs;
• $1.5 million to repair and replace public assets held by hospitals, as well as provide flu vaccinations, interpreter services and mental health services;
• $3.3 million to remove debris from waterways, repair and restore dams and related work;
• $113 million on Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority concessional loans for primary producers and small businesses;
• $7.5 million to clean-up and remove debris from farms;
• $15 million to repair State Government infrastructure;
• $8 million on counter disaster operations to assist local community efforts;
• $0.2 million for Corrective Services work camps to aid community operations;
• $0.4 million towards a tourism marketing campaign and promotional activities;
• $10.5 million on environmental protection activities including ongoing clean-up of national parks and access roads; feeding stations and food drops for cassowaries.
Mr Beattie said the State would recoup a proportion of the expenditure under various disaster cost sharing arrangements with the Commonwealth but Queensland would continue supporting local communities across the Far North for as long as it takes.
Media Contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4550
March 19, 2007