Media Release 27 March 2020
Federal and Queensland Governments have given a tick to a further 15 infrastructure resilience projects in regional communities impacted by the 2019 monsoon trough.
Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud said this round of funding included more than $17 million to improve regional road networks.
“Today’s announcement is in addition to more than $60 million already approved under the joint $134.5 million infrastructure package between Federal and Queensland Governments,” Mr Littleproud said.
“We are committed to rebuilding and improving important infrastructure assets to a stronger, more resilient standard.
“The Diamantina Shire will receive $2.7 million to repave and seal sections of Birdsville-Simpson Desert National Park Road.
“Aboriginal Shire Councils in Napranum and Palm Island will also receive over $3.0 million to repair roads, improve accessibility and better protect vulnerable communities.”
Queensland Minister for State Development and Minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) Cameron Dick said the latest round of funding also includes allocation for seawalls and walking tracks.
“Torres Shire Council will receive $2 million in Betterment funding to upgrade the existing Waiben Esplanade Seawall, which was severely damaged during last year’s monsoon trough,” Mr Dick said.
“Cook Shire Council has been allocated $953,000 to restore a 4.4 km stretch of the Cooktown Scenic Rim Botanic Garden Walking Track ahead of the Cooktown Expo in July 2020.
“The Department of Environment and Science will repair erosion and stabilise the banks on sections of the Under the Radar and Smedley’s Mountain Bike Trails in Townsville.
“The QRA will continue working with our councils and state agencies to identify opportunities to improve disaster-impacted infrastructure and increase Queensland’s overall disaster resilience.”
Betterment projects:
- ¢Department of Transport and Main Roads
- oUpgrade floodways along the Landsborough Highway between Mount Isa and Winton, $5.9 million
- oUpgrade sections of Kennedy Development Road between Hughenden and Winton, $3.1 million
- oReplace Isabella Creek Bridge in Cook Shire, $716,000
- ¢Diamantina Shire Council
- oSeal section of Birdsville-Simpson Desert National Park Road, $2.8 million
- ¢Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council
- oSeal sections of Stones Crossing Access Road, $2.2 million
- ¢Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council
- oUpgrade culverts and install pavement along Wallaby Point Road, $822,000
- oConstruct a seawall to protect Banfield Drive, $790,000
- ¢Richmond Shire Council
- oReplace existing infrastructure with concrete floodways along Maxwelton Kynuna Road, $180,000
- ¢Torres Shire Council
- oUpgrade the Waiben Esplanade Seawall, $2 million
- ¢Townsville City Council
- oSeal Forestry Road, $462,000
- oSeal Poderosa Road, $343,000
- oSeal Bougainville Street, $7500
- oSeal Purono Parkway, $215,000
- ¢Cook Shire Council
- oRestore walking tracks connecting Grassy Hill, Cherry Tree Bay, Finch Bay, the Old Quarry and the botanic gardens, $953,000
- ¢Department of Environment and Science
- oRepair and stabilise sections of Under the Radar Mountain Bike Trail and Smedley’s Mountain Bike Trail in Townsville, $364,000
Recreational assets:
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
