Queensland local government leaders are calling on the State Government to support councils to build back better ahead of disaster season.
Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) CEO, Alison Smith, are asking the State Government to partner with the Federal Government and increase opportunities for local betterment projects and increase community resilience from local disasters with an additional $200 million per year.
“Building safe, resilient and liveable communities is not just about councils being disaster ready, but ensuring our essential infrastructure is built to a standard that can withstand future disaster impacts and protect local communities,” Ms Smith said.
“With weather events becoming more severe and more frequent, increased resilience in local infrastructure is vital to minimising impacts to local communities, the functionality of cities and local and regional supply chains.
“Queensland is the most disaster prone-state and after 66 local governments out of 77 Queensland councils were disaster activated at least once last year, now is the time to ramp up a focus on betterment funding.”
A Senate Inquiry report into Australia’s disaster resilience released in August recommended building betterment into recovery and reconstruction funding arrangements.
Brisbane Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner, said that the benefits of betterment are well understood and accepted, but government needs to ramp up funding to keep cities, suburbs and critical freight routes connected during a natural disaster.
“As a nation we spend a lot of money on disaster recovery, but the focus needs to shift more towards building more resilient infrastructure,” Mayor Schrinner said.
Burke Shire Mayor, Ernie Camp, said that the current disaster recovery arrangements don’t provide enough focus on betterment funding to ensure building back better isn’t just a slogan, but a priority for all governments.
“A $100 million program doesn’t go far when one bridge can cost $30 million to upgrade,” Mayor Camp said.
Etheridge Shire Mayor, Barry Hughes, said, “When public infrastructure is damaged or destroyed, it only makes sense to build it back better rather than simply replacing it for the same fate the next time the wild weather arrives, but it can only be done with proper funding from the other levels of government.”
Croydon Shire Mayor, Trevor Pickering, said, “The Gilbert River Bridge is the lifeline of the gulf country. When one river goes over, the whole gulf country can be cut off for up to four months, something that we shouldn’t have to live with.
“The only way to fix that is to increase funding and raise the bridge, keeping communities connected and vital supply chains open.”
Maranoa Regional Council Mayor, Wendy Taylor, said, “Our communities are frustrated when they see recovery money being used to replace damaged roads and bridges to the exact same standard that saw them wash away.
“It doesn’t make sense. We know the weather, the rain and the floods will come back so unless we build back better it is just letting money wash away. It is only common sense, and good financial sense in the long run, to invest in betterment, not just replacement.”
Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor, Alister Gibson, said, “Wujal Wujal entrusted me to lead our community and rebuild as the number one priority to safeguard us against extreme weather events in the future.
“Our whole community had to be re-located after one night of heavy rainfall. It then took several months for us to be able to return home, such was the devastation to local roads and houses.”
Douglas Shire Council Mayor, Lisa Scomazzon, said, “More funding to fix critical local roads, like the connection to Cape Tribulation which was wiped out earlier this year, will not only ensure repairs happen in a more timely way but key communities will stay connected.
“It’s not just about better infrastructure, but also protecting lives.”
The LGAQ’s Vote for Local campaign is calling on Queenslanders to let their local priorities inform their vote ahead of the October State Election.
Image: EyeofPaul/shutterstock.com
