Media Release: 30 June 2020
Emergency works are nearing completion on parts of Queensland’s road network, after bushfires and monsoonal flooding impacted about 10,990 kilometres of the state network during the 2019-20 disaster season.
The emergency works are being jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud said the Commonwealth and state governments were working together to ensure impacted communities are reconnected after natural disaster events.
“Seeing Queensland devastated by drought, floods and bushfires has been truly heartbreaking, and the road to recovery for many communities continues to be a long one,” Minister Littleproud said.
“This is especially true for those communities that have been hit doubly hard by fires and monsoonal flooding that severely impacted roads and infrastructure.
“The emergency repairs to these vital stretches of road will ensure communities and primary producers across an enormous tract of northern Queensland will remain connected during these tough times.
“Regional transport routes will also play an important role in rebooting the local economy, so we are investing in the community by continuing work to repair damaged roads.
“I thank everyone who has been working on these repairs for their determination and dedication in ensuring the state’s roads are open and safe, especially now that the COVID-19 travel restrictions have been eased and Queenslanders begin travelling longer distances.
“The Government is committed to supporting drought, flood, storm and fire affected communities, and will stand shoulder to shoulder with them until the job is done.”
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said while significant rain late in the summer was welcomed in many areas, the road damage and washouts needed repair.
“Our crews have been clearing roads and removing debris, as well as assessing damage and planning further repairs,” Mr Bailey said.
“Most emergency works have been completed, along with an immediate reconstruction project on the Flinders Highway.
“To cover these flood repairs and further reconstruction works needed after last year’s devastating bushfires, we have set aside an initial $65 million following disasters in 2019–20.
“Funding of $27.11 million has already been spent on works to 31 May 2020.”
Mr Bailey said significant progress had been made to stabilise bushfire-damaged slopes on Binna Burra Road in the Gold Coast hinterland.
“Wet weather early this year impacted access to site, but works are back on track and the road is expected to reopen under traffic control next month,” he said.
“The works have involved installing roadside safety barriers, slope stabilisation below the road and rock fall protection measures above it.”
Mr Bailey said severe bushfires last year had also temporarily closed key transport routes including the Cunningham and Mount Lindesay highways.
“We have completed emergency works to remove debris and damaged trees, repair damaged concrete barriers and replace burnt signs,” he said.
“Geotechnical consultants have carried out detailed investigations of the slope instability caused by bushfires at Cunninghams Gap, to identify reconstruction requirements, with the preferred option under review.
“Along with a reduced speed limit of 50km/h, we have installed a temporary steel safety barrier about one kilometre before Cunninghams Gap until we can complete permanent slope protection works.”
For current road conditions across the state, visit www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au or call 13 19 40.
