Road crews commended for mighty effort
Joint Media Release
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Minister Assisting on Queensland Floods Recovery
Senator for Queensland
Senator the Hon. Joe Ludwig
Queensland Main Roads Minister
State Member for Thuringowa
Hon Craig Wallace MP
19 January 2011
Federal Minister Assisting the Attorney-General on the Queensland Floods Recovery, Senator Joe Ludwig, and Queensland Main Roads Minister, Craig Wallace, visited Rockhampton today to inspect flood-damaged roads in the region.
The Ministers commended road crews who have been working around the clock to repair the region’s roads.
“The Rockhampton community has put in an extraordinary effort to clean up after this month’s devastating floods,” Minister Ludwig said.
“Some road workers, personally affected by floods in their own homes, are putting the community’s needs ahead of their own by swinging into action to get the town’s arterial roads up and running.
“It’s going to take a lot of hard yakka over the next few years but I congratulate the local workers and volunteers for the results they’ve already been able to achieve.”
Minister Wallace said all roads in the region are now open to traffic, although speed restrictions and traffic control measures are in place on severely damaged roads.
“Road crews acted swiftly to carry out urgent road repairs. It was important to get traffic moving and to reconnect the community. Roads are a real lifeline here in Rocky. We had to move fast and get traffic back on track. More permanent repairs will be carried out over the coming months and years,” he said.
Minister Ludwig and Minister Wallace also inspected the Yeppen Bridge and flood plain, the Community Recovery Centre and the proposed site for a new road and rail overpass to open up the industrial precinct west of Gracemere.
Also on the agenda, the $5 million federally-funded Fitzroy River Floodplain and Road Planning Study which will explore ways to reduce congestion in Rockhampton and improve the highway’s flood immunity.
Minister Ludwig and Minister Wallace said the community would have an opportunity to provide feedback on the study next month during the public consultation phase.
“We want to hear the community’s views on the road and rail options. It’s an opportunity for them to help shape this important project,” they said.
Under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements the Commonwealth and Queensland Government is providing essential funding to build critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges and schools, to 48 Local Governments Areas.
For information about Commonwealth Government assistance for flood victims go to www.disasterassist.gov.au
Media Contact:
Sarah McSporran (Ludwig) 0423 823 843
Ellen McIntyre (Wallace) 0438 768 734