SBRC Mayor Wayne Kratzmann
South Burnett Mayor Wayne Kratzmann (Photo: SBRC)

February 19, 2014

Members of the Australian Government Reconstruction Inspectorate will visit the South Burnett on Thursday to meet members of the South Burnett Regional Council and look at reconstruction efforts from the 2011 and 2013 floods.

Inspectorate Chair John Fahey and members Robyn Cooper and Martin Albrecht will meet with Council representatives in Kingaroy before touring the region to inspect completed and ongoing reconstruction works.

Queensland Reconstruction Authority representatives will also be accompanying the Inspectorate.

The SBRC estimated the damage the region suffered from the two natural disaster events was more than $115 million.

The Inspectorate was established in February 2011 to provide oversight and accountability measures to ensure Australians receive value for money in the rebuilding of flood and cyclone ravaged regions.

It comprises former Federal Finance Minister John Fahey, former Thiess managing director Martin Albrecht, Crowe Horwath principal (Internal Audit Services) Robyn Cooper and Department of Finance secretary David Tune.

It reports directly to the Prime Minister.

Mayor Wayne Kratzmann said he was pleased to host the delegation and was looking forward to showing them them the work that has been carried out in the South Burnett over the past two years.

Background Information

The Australian Government Reconstruction Inspectorate was created on February 7, 2011, to oversee reconstruction in Queensland and Victoria following the floods and cyclones in the 2010-11 summer.

Following the significant flooding in Queensland in January 2013, the role of the Inspectorate was expanded to include all flooding and cyclone events occurring in Queensland between December 2010 and January 2013.

The purpose of the Inspectorate is to:

  • Work collaboratively with the reconstruction agencies on continued improvement to the value-for-money framework
  • Undertake scrutiny of reconstruction projects undertaken by local governments and state departments and agencies
  • Undertake scrutiny of benchmark prices to ensure value for money
  • Where appropriate, undertake scrutiny prior to execution for complex or high value contracts
  • Respond and investigate complaints or issues raised by the public

A key role of the Inspectorate is to investigate complaints about reconstruction projects.

Comments or complaints from the public can be made on 1800-080-090 toll-free (charges may apply from mobile or pay phones) or by email

For more information, visit the Reconstruction Inspectorate website

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