Tablelands to get almost $7 million in disaster funding

Tablelands Regional Council will receive more than $6.8 million in disaster relief funding to repair local roads damaged in monsoonal rain and flooding early last year.

Local Government Minister Warren Pitt today (22 January) presented a cheque for more than $2.8 million to the Tablelands Regional Council Mayor Cr Tom Gilmore, the first instalment of the funding.

Mr Pitt said the first instalment was for restoration works completed to date and further instalments would be paid as the council progressed the restoration works.

“Many parts of Queensland were inundated with flooding in February and March last year and the Tablelands region’s road networks – in the former Atherton, Mareeba and Herberton shires – were hit hard,” Mr Pitt said.

“The roads required restoration works such as the removal of silt debris from roads, bridges and drainage structures, providing emergency access and the erection of warning signs and barriers.

“The Queensland Government is committed to ensuring that councils have the ability to repair these vital assets quickly in order to minimise disruption to the community.

“If these assets were not repaired there is the potential to severely impact the community, business and livelihoods.”

Mr Pitt said the major works undertaken included repairs at Blacktown–Bulimba Road (works worth $280,056), Glen Dhu Road ($219,044), Rankine Creek ($196,982), Karma Waters Road to St George River ($187,589) and Mt Mulligan–Kondaparinga Road ($178,437).

“The financial burden of this natural disaster would have disadvantaged rate payers if Tablelands Regional Council alone was required to foot the bill.”

Mr Pitt said the current funding meant the State and Federal governments had now contributed $6,845,168 towards the repair work, with council contributing $388,000.

The funding is provided through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements program, a joint State and Commonwealth initiative.