Further $12.5 million in funding flows to flood-impacted communities

Published Tuesday, 25 February, 2020 at 10:24 AM

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Cameron Dick

JOINT STATEMENT

Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick

Funding continues to flow into Queensland communities impacted by the 2019 monsoon trough as part of the joint Commonwealth and Queensland Government’s $242 million exceptional circumstances funding.

Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud said 12 councils would share in more than $12.5 million in recovery funding to rebuild roads and infrastructure to a stronger, more resilient standard.

“The Commonwealth and Queensland governments continue to work with impacted councils to repair and improve the resilience of damaged assets,” Minister Littleproud said.

“This round of funding includes $11.4 million in Betterment funding for regional roads across the state, to reconnect locals, businesses and visitors.

“Both levels of government will work together to ensure all impacted communities, whether they’ve battled fires, floods or cyclones, receive the recovery support they need.”

“And by investing money above the cost of repairs, we’re ensuring this rebuilt infrastructure will be able to withstand the wrath of Mother Nature well into the future.”

“One of the big-ticket items is the $3.9 million construction of a new bridge at Dalkeith Road in Flinders Shire Council to replace the flood-damaged causeway.

“Additionally, more than $2.5 million will be spent stabilising and resealing sections of Normanton to Burketown Road in Carpentaria Shire Council, improving access to campsites and tourism hotspots that are vital to the economy of the region.”

Queensland Minister for State Development and Minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) Cameron Dick said the funding would provide invaluable, long-standing benefits for nearby communities.

“The exceptional circumstances funding allows roads and infrastructure to be build back stronger and more resilient to future weather events,” Mr Dick said.

“For example, Charters Towers Regional Council will receive $1.5 million to realign a section of Dotswood Road to cross over the Fanning River channel, providing a safer path for motorists during severe weather events.

“Significant investments will also be made as part of joint state and federal Recreational Assets and Water and Sewerage funding.

"This includes rejuvenating the Wujal Wujal Sports Field, which was damaged during the monsoon trough, and repairing a rock weir in Barcoo to protect the township of Windorah.”

Full list of recipients, projects and Category D funding received: 

  • Barcoo Shire Council

o   Repair rock weir at Windorah, $382,000

  • Burdekin Shire Council

o   Install culverts and sealing sections of Sandy Camp Road, $310,000

  • Burke Shire Council

o   Road sealing on Lawn Hill National Park Road, $1.3 million

  • Carpentaria Shire Council

o   Resurface/seal sections of Normanton to Burketown Road, $2.6 million

  • Charters Towers Regional Council

o   Realign a one-kilometre section of Dotswood Road, $1.5 million

  • Flinders Shire Council

o   New bridge to replace causeway on Dalkeith Road, $3.9 million

  • Hinchinbrook Shire Council

o   Build causeway on Barbagallos Road, $230,000

o   Build four separate floodways on Atkinson Pocket Road, $93,000

o   Build five separate floodways on Abergowrie Road, $112,000

o   Install a new floating pontoon in Dungeness, $70,000

  • Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council

o   Construct two concrete causeways on Kowanyama Street, $189,000

  • Mount Isa City Council

o   Build concrete floodways on Lake Julius Road, $439,000

  • Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council

o   Construct five floodways along Ferry Road, $120,000

o   Construct six floodways and a culvert on Pajinka Street, $145,000

  • Richmond Shire Council

o   Build a floodway and upgrade approaches at Ambush Gully, $126,000

o   Build two high level causeways along Coalbrook Road, $310,000

  • Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council

o   Rejuvenate Wujal Wujal Sportsfield, $598,000

These projects are being delivered through the $242 million exceptional circumstances package jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Delivery of these projects will be rolled out until June 2021.

ENDS

Media contacts:

  • Douglas Ferguson 0455 448 985 (Minister Littleproud)
  • Ben Doyle 0400 775 561 (Minister Dick)