More than $314 million in disaster funding allocated in one week
Premier Anna Bligh and Federal Minister for Agriculture, and Minister Assisting the Attorney-General of Queensland Flood Recovery, Senator Joe Ludwig, today announced a further 12 disaster affected councils would benefit from advance funding injections to kickstart reconstruction efforts.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Premier Anna Bligh and Federal Minister for Agriculture, and Minister Assisting the Attorney-General of Queensland Flood Recovery, Senator Joe Ludwig, today announced a further 12 disaster affected councils would benefit from advance funding injections to kickstart reconstruction efforts.
The Premier and Senator advised that in less than one week, a total of $314 million had now been allocated to 30 affected councils meaning works could get underway as quickly as possible.
"Today, an additional 12 local councils will benefit from $93 million in funding that has been accelerated to stimulate their local economies," said Ms Bligh.
"This is in addition to the $221 million in funding provided to 18 local councils on Wednesday.
"The Queensland Reconstruction Authority is working to assess and release funding to disaster affected regions as quickly as possible."
The Authority has established a process that is being used for the first time to accelerate the flow of reconstruction dollars back into impacted communities.
Minister Ludwig said that under the long-standing Natural Disaster Recovery and Relief Arrangements ( NDRRA ) between the States and the Commonwealth, the Federal Government will be responsible for meeting up to 75% of these costs.
"Disaster impacted councils were asked to supply the Authority their damage lists and a signed Funding Agreement - those councils whose funding has not yet been announced have not been forgotten," Senator Ludwig said.
"The Authority will continue to release funding to Councils as their completed signed submissions come in and are assessed.
"We know some councils were still experiencing flooding issues and their ability to respond has been impacted.
"But we will ensure no one is disadvantaged. More than 80 per cent of this money will go towards reconstructing our massive road network - the lifeblood of our State."
Ms Bligh said funding would rise in line with the estimate that the total damage bill for councils is likely to top $2 billion.
"Our priority is rebuilding Queensland, and today's second round of dollars shows we are dedicated to getting on with the job," Ms Bligh said.
The 12 additional councils announced today are:
1. Balonne Shire Council - $4.1M
2. Banana Shire Council - $7.2M
3. Barcaldine Regional Council - 2.1M
4. Bundaberg Regional Council - $7.1M
5. Central Highlands Regional Council - $13.2M
6. Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council - $80,586
7. Cloncurry Shire Council - $1M
8. Cook Shire Council - $3.6M
9. Gladstone Regional Council - $18.3M
10. Ipswich City Council - $20.7M
11. Toowoomba Regional Council - $15.4M
12. Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council - $323,460
On Wednesday, the Stage 1 funding was provided to:
13. Blackall- Tambo Regional Council -- $2.9M
14. Brisbane City Council - $54M
15. Burdekin Shire Council - $1.7M
16. Cassowary Coast regional -- $19.9M
17. Etheridge Shire Council ( Georgetown ) -- $2.7M
18. Fraser Coast Regional Council -- $2.1M
19. Goondiwindi Regional Council -- $2.8M
20. Gympie Regional Council -- $3.7M
21. Lockyer Valley Regional Council -- $37.8M
22. Mackay Regional Council -- $4.4M
23. Moreton Bay Regional Council -- $2.8M
24. North Burnett Regional Council -- $3.1M
25. Somerset Regional Council -- $8.6M
26. South Burnett Regional Council - $25.9M
27. Tablelands Regional Council - $12.8M
28. Torres Shire Council - $64,900
29. Townsville City Council -- $25.2M
30. Whitsunday Regional Council - $10M
MEDIA CONTACT:
Premier's Office: 07 3224 4500
Minister Ludwig's Office: Sarah McSporran 0423 823 843
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