Published Tuesday, 04 November, 2008 at 05:30 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Burdekin Shire Council receives more than $2.5 million in funding
Burdekin Shire Council will receive more than $2.5 million in funding to repair its damaged road network that occurred as the result of monsoonal flooding in February and March 2008.
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said floodwaters had caused significant subsidence, resulting in damage to the council’s road infrastructure.
“The flooding that occurred across many parts of Queensland has caused considerable damage to the Burdekin Shire Council’s local road network,” Mr Pitt said.
“The reliance by regional communities on local infrastructure means that this type of damage has the potential to severely impact the region’s businesses and livelihoods.
“This funding will include $211,159 for multiple repairs to the Rita Islands Road and $206,457 for bitumen resurfacing on Hughes Road.
“The repair work also involved removing silt build-ups, grading and re-sheeting the damaged gravel sections of the region’s roads and repairing drains.
“Ratepayers would have been disadvantaged by the financial burden of this natural disaster if Burdekin Shire Council was required to foot the bill.
“As a result, the State and Commonwealth governments have contributed $2,587,622, with the shire council contributing $169,000 towards the repair work.”
Mr Pitt said the funding was provided through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements program, a joint State and Commonwealth initiative.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said floodwaters had caused significant subsidence, resulting in damage to the council’s road infrastructure.
“The flooding that occurred across many parts of Queensland has caused considerable damage to the Burdekin Shire Council’s local road network,” Mr Pitt said.
“The reliance by regional communities on local infrastructure means that this type of damage has the potential to severely impact the region’s businesses and livelihoods.
“This funding will include $211,159 for multiple repairs to the Rita Islands Road and $206,457 for bitumen resurfacing on Hughes Road.
“The repair work also involved removing silt build-ups, grading and re-sheeting the damaged gravel sections of the region’s roads and repairing drains.
“Ratepayers would have been disadvantaged by the financial burden of this natural disaster if Burdekin Shire Council was required to foot the bill.
“As a result, the State and Commonwealth governments have contributed $2,587,622, with the shire council contributing $169,000 towards the repair work.”
Mr Pitt said the funding was provided through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements program, a joint State and Commonwealth initiative.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819