TWO-YEAR WATERWAYS CLEAN-UP NEARS END IN FAR NORTH QLD

Potentially damaging debris left by Cyclone Larry should be fully cleared from Far North Queensland waterways before the summer wet season, Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace said today.

Tropical Cyclone Larry crossed the coast of Queensland at Innisfail on 20 March 2006, bringing winds of up to 290kmh that devastated an area two-thirds the size of Tasmania.

Mr Wallace said the most vital works in the two-year $4 million Waterway Debris Removal Project had been completed before the start of the last wet season and had already proved their worth.

"Under this program, the government has removed debris from the most high-risk locations in Cairns, Eacham, Cardwell and Johnstone council areas before the heavy rains earlier this year," Mr Wallace said.

“There is still some debris removal and mulching to be done on the Atherton Tableland and in coastal areas that did not experience significant flooding, but we expect all remaining works to be completed before the next wet season.”

Mr Wallace said shire councils and trusts were now gearing up for the next stage of the project – implementing a $350,000 re-vegetation program to replace native trees at some sites where there was excessive damage.

The re-vegetation work is expected to be completed by June 2008.

Mr Wallace said Cyclone Larry had left unusually large amounts of debris in streams and waterways that could have led to further flooding if not cleared out.

"The project's timing couldn't have been better last wet season because within weeks of completing the urgent work, many of these areas experienced a further declared natural disaster flooding event.

"No damage to infrastructure or flooding due to debris was reported. By removing the worst of the debris we saved these communities further financial and emotional stress.”

The following work is now complete:

·Eacham Shire: Removal of Cyclone Larry waterway debris from the North Johnstone River at Duncan Brown Bridge

·Cairns City: Removal of Cyclone Larry waterway debris in the Mulgrave River and smaller tributaries of the Russell River

·Johnstone Shire: Removal of Cyclone Larry waterway debris from smaller creeks in the Mena Creek and Silkwood areas

·Cardwell Shire: Removal of cyclone Larry waterway debris from Jarra Creek and its tributaries.

The Preventative Waterway Debris Removal Project is co-ordinated by the Department of Natural Resources and Water in partnership with river improvement trusts and local governments.

Electronic photographs of clean up work available on request.

Caption: The middle reaches of the Murray River, taken in June 2006 during aerial survey for debris.

Media inquiries: Caroline Kaurila, Craig Wallace’s office, on (07) 3896 3694 or 0414 213 954.