Cook Shire to receive another $1.6 million in disaster funding

Cook Shire Council will receive another $1.6 million to restore roads damaged by Tropical Cyclone Monica in April 2006.

Main Roads and Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said the funding brought the total disaster assistance provided for the works to more than $14.7 million.

“Cook Shire covers an area of more than 250,000 square kilometres in far north Queensland and considerable damage was caused to local roads and infrastructure following Tropical Cyclone Monica last year,” Mr Pitt said.

“This relief funding will help council cover the costs of repairing damage to local roads.

“Some of the hardest-hit locations included Bloomfield Road and Port Stewart Road, as well as Battle Camp Road and Lakefield Road.

Member for Cook Jason O’Brien welcomed the announcement.

“In smaller communities, road systems are a community lifeline, so it was important that these clean-up works took place as quickly as possible so residents could go about their daily lives,” he said.

Mr O’Brien said it was important that ratepayers were not left with the repair bill for emergency works that were carried out after natural disasters.

“These repair costs were beyond council’s capabilities, which is why the State and Commonwealth governments have contributed extra funding,” he said.

“Cook Shire Council has also contributed $50,000 towards the repair works.”

The funding has been provided under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) program, a joint State and Commonwealth initiative.

The NDRRA program enables local councils to restore non-insured essential public assets that have been damaged as a result of a natural disaster.

Media contacts: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819; Mr O’Brien’s Office 4051 3849