South Burnett Regional Council has gained $340,000 in State Government funding to put towards replacing the dangerous Alford Street culvert in Kingaroy.
The total cost has been estimated at $800,000 however Council had already set aside $400,000 in its last Budget for the project.
The funding, approved on Friday by Deputy Premier Jackie Trad, will come from the State Government’s 2015-16 Community Resilience Fund.
This fund aims to support projects that will help to protect communities from the devastating consequences of natural disasters.
The Kingaroy project is one of 48 disaster mitigation and resilience projects to receive grants totalling about $30 million from the State Government.
“The grants will give 30 councils much needed funds to deliver essential disaster mitigation infrastructure and reduce their community’s vulnerability to natural disasters,” Ms Trad said.
Other projects include:
- Upgrade disaster accommodation in North Burnett region
- Flood levee and draining channel works in the Lockyer Valley
- Upgrading fire trail networks and bushfire infrastructure in South-East Queensland
“These grants will also deliver solid infrastructure and plans to minimise expenditure on damaged assets in the wake of a disaster,” Ms Trad said.
The Alford Street culvert, which is located near Kingaroy State School and Memorial Park, has been a headache for the South Burnett Regional Council for many years.
Not only does it flood but because of its position, it also attracts children who play in it.
Pedestrians also often dodge traffic while crossing it.
Mayor Wayne Kratzmann said Council had been trying to get funding to replace the culvert for some time.
