Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese and Queensland Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace today announced that over $42 million in works to repair flood damaged roads in North West Queensland is starting now as part of Operation Queenslander.
Mr Albanese and Mr Wallace said works to various state-controlled roads were under way to deliver vital repairs where they were needed most.
"Major regional links such as the Burke Developmental Road, Kennedy Developmental Road and Landsborough Highway are being repaired through Operation Queenslander," Mr Albanese said.
"These works are an excellent example of Operation Queenslander in progress," he said.
Member for Mount Isa, Betty Kiernan, strongly welcomed the work which will provide 224 jobs in the process.
Major works to get under way include:
- $20.9 million for the Landsborough Highway, between Winton and Cloncurry, sustaining 110 local jobs over the life of the project
- $16.3 million for sections of the Kennedy Developmental Road, between Winton and Hughenden, sustaining 85 local jobs over the life of the project
- $5.5 million for the Burke Developmental Road, between Normanton and Dunbar, sustaining 29 local jobs over the life of the project.
Works involve resurfacing and reconstruction works, including repairs to culverts and drainage structures.
Mr Wallace said Operation Queenslander was the largest reconstruction effort in the state's history, rebuilding communities, fixing infrastructure and restoring regional economies.
"Queensland's road network received more damage than any other state government asset during this year's natural disasters, with some roads damaged more than two or three times in recent years - the devastation is without parallel," Mr Wallace said.
"We are spending money right across the state to get roads fixed and communities reconnected, and generating more than12,000 jobs in the process.
Betty Kiernan said the works would get businesses, communities and the economy moving again.
"That's why we're going to rebuild our roads better, safer, and stronger than before," she said.
Mr Wallace said under NDRRA, the federal government provides 75 per cent of funding and the state provides 25 per cent.
"This funding is central to Operation Queenslander and will drive recovery right across the state," he said.
Mr Wallace said Transport and Main Roads sprung into action directly after the disasters, to get roads cleared, repaired and reopened where possible.
"More than 60 per cent of the 9170-kilometres of state-controlled road network damaged has been now recovered, with legal speeds and full weight limits reinstated," he said.
"We're now working around-the-clock planning and undertaking more permanent repairs to hard-hit areas and delivering the largest program of works in the department's history."
Mr Wallace said that while the state rebuilds, there will be roadworks and changed traffic conditions right across the network.
"We ask motorists for their continued patience and caution while these vital repairs take place," he said.
"Our message is clear - we are working to reconnect Queensland and get people moving again and we will not stop until it's done."