Carpentaria to get first instalment of extra disaster relief funding

Carpentaria Shire Council will soon receive the first instalment of a $9.2 million subsidy towards the cost of restoring roads damaged by flooding in January and February 2007.

Local Government Minister Warren Pitt, in north-west Queensland for the Community Cabinet meeting, said the council would get $3,931,108.

“This first instalment of funding will help council move forward with repairs to damaged local roads,” Mr Pitt said.

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

Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan said it was important that ratepayers were not left with the repair bill for damaged council assets and emergency works following natural disasters.

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

“Carpentaria Shire Council has also contributed $50,000 towards the repair works, and this additional funding injection will allow the work to proceed quickly.”

Mr Pitt said 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 damage to non-insured essential public assets as a result of a natural disaster event.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819 or 0417 789 208;
Mrs Kiernan’s Office 4742 2530