Reconstruction Journey Will Continue As Thousands Rebuild Their Lives

Queensland is on the road to a more resilient future said Premier and Minister for Reconstruction Anna Bligh today as the State marks the one year anniversary of last year's devastating floods.

"Operation Queenslander has advanced right across the State and the reconstruction effort has touched the lives of just about every Queenslander in some way," said the Premier.

"An effort like this is about heart and toil and irrepressible spirit.

"There are thousands of human stories out there and our reconstruction journey will continue as thousands of Queenslanders get back on their feet and continue to rebuild their lives."

Ms Bligh said that since the disasters struck 9170 km of roads were damaged and 8482km of those have been made trafficable.

"183448 tonnes of bitumen will be needed to finish this job and to give you an idea of the scale of the job that's more than 7,300 bitumen tankers," she said.

"That is an incredible amount but ultimately as permanent repairs are rolled across the State we will need more than 50 times that amount of gravel as well as the bitumen to complete the work.

"Since the disasters of the 411 schools affected are open, all 89 damaged bridges and culverts have been opened and of the 138National Parks that were damaged, all are now opened or partiallyopened.

"A total of $3.6 billion of National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements funding is in use and hundreds of projects are now underway in every corner of the state.

"NDRRA funding has also helped 5457 small businesses with $75.9 million and 9,076 primary producers with $174 million in funding and assisted 433 businesses through a special business recovery program.

"In Brisbane and Ipswich over 10,500 homes have been repaired or are being repaired and in areas such as Roma and Emerald over 95% of affected homes have been fixed."

Premier Bligh said $280.9 million had been paid out by the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal assisting over 40 000 people.

"Of that $2.835M was used in the Lockyer Valley Land Swap Project to move residents of Grantham onto higher ground after the devastating floods there."

Ms Bligh said the Governments $39 million Community Recovery and Wellbeing Package continue to support the recovery and wellbeing of people in Queensland.

"Local organisations on the ground within the mental health sector have been tirelessly working to care and support our severely affected communities," said the Premier.

"Financial Counselling to provide support to families and special services for disabled victims of the disasters is also available."

Premier and Minister for Reconstruction
The Honourable Anna Bligh
09/01/2012
Resonstruction Journey Will Continue As Thousands Rebuild Their Lives

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Publish Date: 10 Jan 12

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