January 30, 2013
Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney and Local Government Minister David Crisafulli made a whistlestop visit to the South Burnett this morning to check out firsthand some of the local damage from the Australia Day weekend floods.
They visited scoured out roads and washaways at Geritz, River and Weens roads and outside Swickers in Kingaroy.
They then visited the South Burnett Disaster Management Group and were briefed on infrastructure damage by South Burnett Regional Council engineers.
Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney said it was unbelievable that Queensland was going through this all again, just two years after the last floods.
“But it’s a reality we have to deal with and every community is struggling with it. First we have to make sure that you have the resources to deal with the big issues,” Mr Seeney said.
He congratulated the South Burnett for addressing the critical issues of power and water so quickly.
Mr Seeney said he wanted to make sure that as the recovery rolls out to tackle the huge task that will be on the coast, the South Burnett and other regional areas will not be forgotten.
He also promised that the Queensland Reconstruction Authority process would be a lot different – and “work better” – than two years ago.
He said that after the 2011 floods, the QRA had been a “debacle”.
“I’ve said to all the councils in this part of the world … that we should not be backward at all in getting on and doing what we need to do. If it needs to be done, it needs to be got done, and we will worry about the bureaucracy and the authority later,” he said.
Local Government Minister Mr David Crisafulli said his message was simple … to make sure we don’t “fall between the cracks”.
“There’s no doubt that quite rightly there’s a lot of attention on the State’s capital, and quite rightly there’s been a huge focus on Bundy. It’s unprecedented what’s happened there,” he said.
“But that doesn’t make what is happening in every other part of Queensland not really tough or insignificant.
“There will be a huge emphasis on Bundy because it is at the centre of it, but what makes this State so great is that unique identity of each and every community.
“I want you to know that you’re not going to be left up to your own defences. By all means you will lead the recovery here … our style is about making sure you drive your own agenda. No one is going to tell you what to do from Brisbane, but there will be resources available.”
Local Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington said she was pleased to welcome Mr Seeney and Mr Crisafulli to the South Burnett today.
“They have assured me the South Burnett won’t be forgotten and that the State Government will do all they can to help us in the recovery effort,” she said.
After his tour around Kingaroy, Mr Seeney then went on to visit Murgon and Wondai, which are part of his electorate of Callide.
Mre Frecklington said that after lobbying by her, the South Burnett Regional Council area had been listed as a disaster-affected region.
This meant that residents who’ve experienced personal hardship caused by the floods may be able to receive financial assistance from the State Government. For further information, contact the Department of Communities on 1800-173-349.
Mrs Frecklington said she was also keen to hear from anyone who had been directly affected by the floods, in particular property owners.
“You can send photos and your stories to nanango@parliament.qld.gov.au,” she said.
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UPDATE February 1: Premier Campbell Newman today announced David Crisafulli would become “Minister for Local Government, Community Recovery and Resilience”.
Mr Newman said while the clear priority right now was ensuring all those affected by the floods got back on their feet, the long term focus of all levels of government must shift to minimising the flood impact on towns and vital infrastructure, not just constant repair jobs.
As part of the changes, Mr Crisafulli will take charge of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority and work in partnership with local communities to build up Queensland’s resilience to natural disasters.
