{"id":347657,"date":"2024-05-02T20:14:05","date_gmt":"2024-05-02T10:14:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=347657"},"modified":"2024-05-02T20:21:36","modified_gmt":"2024-05-02T10:21:36","slug":"council-to-prioritise-road-repairs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2024\/05\/02\/council-to-prioritise-road-repairs\/","title":{"rendered":"Council To Prioritise Road Repairs"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Between 2021 and 2024 the South Burnett was hit by six extreme weather events which caused $63 million damage to more than a third of the region’s road network, and so far $40 million has been spent on repairs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

May 2, 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n

South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff says repairs to the region’s road network will continue to be a priority for Council.<\/p>\n

However, the need to wait for Federal and State approval to ensure funding for repairs did not fall on the shoulders of ratepayers meant almost a third of these repairs could not occur immediately.<\/p>\n

Mayor Duff said Council\u2019s flood damage restoration work began in November 2021.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since then the region has experienced a further five severe weather events which caused significant extra damage to the road network, as well as disruption to the community.<\/p>\n

The latest was in January this year, caused by ex-tropical cyclone Kirrily.<\/p>\n

“Council had to respond to emergency damage across our regional road network with temporary repairs to keep the network open,” Mayor Duff said.<\/p>\n

“Council must undertake works in accordance with flood damage guidelines and more permanent restoration works will be undertaken when funding approvals have been secured.”<\/p>\n

The Council is required to prepare submissions to the Queensland Reconstruction Authority so the repair works can be jointly funded by the Federal and State governments. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Where works are undertaken before approvals are received, the Council – and ratepayers – carry the financial risk.<\/p>\n

“The Council road network consists of 1683 roads covering 2981km; 982 roads have sustained damage with an estimated 1043km of both sealed and unsealed roads requiring restoration or emergency repairs,” Mayor Duff said.<\/p>\n

“The damage bill is in excess of $63 million, with over $40 million in restoration and emergency works being completed to date.”<\/p>\n

Mayor Duff said she understood the frustration caused by damaged roads.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“I would like to thank the community for their patience in fixing the network, particularly with the ongoing wet weather impacts,” the Mayor said.<\/p>\n

“I would also like to acknowledge the work of our local contractors and Council staff.<\/p>\n

“Council will prioritise the improvement of our road network, and the completion of the flood damage program across the region will continue to be a key priority for the next 12 months.”<\/p>\n

Residents with road issues have been encouraged to report them to the Council by phoning (07) 4189-9100, by email<\/b><\/a>\u00a0or by submitting a customer request online<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n