Reconstruction ramps up one year after Southeast Queensland floods 

$350 million has been allocated to repairing road infrastructure impacted by last year's devastating floods.

Rainfall equivalent to 80 per cent of Brisbane's annual average fell in just five days in February 2022 which caused significant damage to state-controlled roads across 22 local government areas.

Work is underway on the Gold Coast–Springbrook Road, Beechmont Road and Lamington National Park Road on the Gold Coast hinterland. Emergency repairs were initially carried out to clear debris and reconstruction work is now stabilising the slopes and rebuilding roads.

Funding is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Work is already underway on priority projects, with the program targeted for completion mid-2024.

Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is working with other state and Commonwealth agencies to ‘build back better’ at key sites where natural disaster damage significantly impacted the community.

This work is funded through the Albanese and Palaszczuk Governments’ $170 million Betterment Fund for road resilience initiatives. These projects will be delivered by TMR and local government authorities in areas impacted by severe weather events in 2021–22.

Quote attributed to the Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt: 

“The unprecedented rainfall and flooding resulted in major landslips, widespread road damage and scouring around bridges and culverts. Significant reconstruction works are needed across a massive area,” Mr Watt said.

"Good progress has been made but there is still work that needs to be done to fully restore the network. Thousands of kilometres of roads have been assessed to check for damage and work out the best way to fix it.

“Disaster support doesn’t just end when the floods recede. The Albanese and Palaszczuk Governments are committed to long-term assistance which will protect communities into the future.”

Quote attributed to Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister, Mark Bailey MP:

"My department continues to monitor the network and prioritise critical sites. This will ensure that safety is maintained until full reconstruction is completed," Mr Bailey said. 

‘More than $77 million has been spent on repairs, and work will continue in the second half of this year.

"The Brisbane Valley Highway’s Geoff Fisher Bridge has been restored. Initial safety works have been completed on the Gore Highway near Toowoomba and Bruce Highway between Gympie and Maryborough ahead of further reconstruction.

"Subsidence is also being repaired on the rail corridor next to Brisbane Road, Bundamba, where more than 20 large piles have been installed to provide stability and reinforcement.

"Scoping and design of repairs are ongoing, with more than 100 reconstruction projects being progressively delivered over the next 18 months.”

For further information:

For up-to-date traffic and road condition information, call 13 19 40, visit www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au or download the QldTraffic app.

ENDS

Media contact: Catherine Baker, Senior Media Advisor tel: 0498 844 783