$39.6 MILLION IN DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR WHITSUNDAY

_{16 December, 2009}

Local Government Minister Desley Boyle today announced $39.6 million in disaster assistance to help Whitsunday Regional Council meet the cost of repairs carried out following cyclone damage sustained in early 2009.

"Twin tropical cyclones Charlotte and Ellie gave Queensland a major bucketing and the Whitsunday region did not escape unscathed," Ms Boyle said.

"A number of towns, including Bowen and Proserpine, were severely inundated, while smaller communities like Dingo Beach were cut off."

Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt said the flooding played havoc, not just with people's lives, but also local industry.

"The Whitsunday region is an important player in the sugar and tourism industries so getting the road network back up and running was essential to keeping Queensland's economy on track," Ms Jarratt said.

"There was a lot of work that had to be done quickly to ensure these industries could get back to business as usual.

"Repairs were also essential to ensuring residents could get on with their day-to-day lives and access essential services."

Ms Jarratt said this funding was another example of the Bligh Government's commitment to supporting Queensland's councils in the aftermath of natural disasters.

"The State and Commonwealth governments have put these Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements funding in place to help our communities in times of need,” Ms Boyle said.

"This allocation of $39,649,277 takes the total amount of disaster assistance provided to the Whitsunday Regional Council, including the former Bowen Shire, since July 2004 to more than $63.5 million."

Some of the major repair works included:

*       Strathdickie Road - $3,742,129 worth of repairs
*       Upriver Road - $1,892,855
*       Dalrymple Street - $1,783,447
*       Dingo Beach Road - $2,595,697
*       Gordon Street - $1,193,838
*       Herbert Street - $2,702,513

Media contact-

Jan Jarratt
4945 3343
whitsunday@parliament.qld.gov.au

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