Published Monday, 19 January, 2009 at 03:17 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Cook Shire receives an extra $91,000 in disaster funding
Cook Shire Council will receive an additional $91,286 in funding for local road repairs following flooding caused by Tropical Cyclone Monica in April 2006.
Member for Cook Jason O’Brien announced details of the grant today under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements program.
The funding brings the total disaster assistance provided to council to $31,077,936 for repair works.
“Cook Shire covers an area of more than 250,000 square kilometres in far north Queensland and there was considerable damage to local roads and infrastructure following the flooding,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The additional $91,286 in funding will help cover the cost of repair to the remote Peninsula Development Access Road and Portland Roads Access Road.
“The repair costs were beyond the council’s capabilities, which is why the State and Commonwealth governments have stepped in to help out,” he said.
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said road systems in regional areas were a community lifeline and it was important that repair works took place as quickly as possible so residents could go about their daily lives.
“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,” Mr Pitt said.
“Cook Shire Council also made a significant contribution of $50,000 towards the repair works.”
The funding has been provided under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements program, a joint State and Commonwealth initiative.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819; Cook Electorate Office 4051 3849
Member for Cook Jason O’Brien announced details of the grant today under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements program.
The funding brings the total disaster assistance provided to council to $31,077,936 for repair works.
“Cook Shire covers an area of more than 250,000 square kilometres in far north Queensland and there was considerable damage to local roads and infrastructure following the flooding,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The additional $91,286 in funding will help cover the cost of repair to the remote Peninsula Development Access Road and Portland Roads Access Road.
“The repair costs were beyond the council’s capabilities, which is why the State and Commonwealth governments have stepped in to help out,” he said.
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said road systems in regional areas were a community lifeline and it was important that repair works took place as quickly as possible so residents could go about their daily lives.
“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,” Mr Pitt said.
“Cook Shire Council also made a significant contribution of $50,000 towards the repair works.”
The funding has been provided under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements program, a joint State and Commonwealth initiative.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819; Cook Electorate Office 4051 3849