Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr has welcomed a cash injection of more than $10 million to repair, rebuild and reinforce infrastructure damaged by the devastating monsoon trough of early last year.

Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said the new projects are part of the 2019 Betterment program, which will be jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

The projects that will benefit from the funding are Donovan Range: $3.9 million; Zig Zag Road: $3.297 million; and the Bloomfield Track: $3.495 million.

“Council is proud to receive this multi-million-dollar funding and deliver a series of projects that will see economic benefits for local businesses and provide improved access for Wujal Wujal,” said Mayor Kerr.
  
“On a recent trip to Degarra, I travelled up the Cape Tribulation-Bloomfield Road and along Zig Zag Road, where I saw the steep slopes and rugged areas which can be difficult to navigate after wet weather.

“The improvement works will reduce the need for continual maintenance, saving ratepayers in the long run, and allow the roads to re-open quicker after floodwaters have subsided,” he said. 

Entsch said a key driver for the works is to improve access for Wujal Wujal and Degarra residents, as well as increasing resilience for travellers after wet weather.

“We know that in the future we will be hit with extreme weather more frequently, so it is important that we invest in the resilience of our communities,” said Entsch.

“Council has been successful in securing $10.3 million in betterment funding which will go towards improving the Bloomfield Track and Zig Zag Road.

“These improvement works will reduce the need for continual maintenance, saving ratepayers in the long run, and allow the roads to re-open quicker after floodwaters have subsided.

“This announcement is great news for the residents of Douglas Shire, as well as the visitors to the region, and will help our local businesses get back on their feet,” said Entsch.

Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Steven Miles said the Betterment program is an important step towards achieving our goal of making Queensland the most disaster-resilient state in Australia.

Classifieds: Douglas Shire Public Notices and Council Notices

The improvements are:

Donovan Range – $3.9 million – sections of Donovan Range are in excess of 25% grade and pose continual maintenance and disaster related issues. Council will undertake minor earthworks, stormwater drainage and rigid pavement construction upgrades – similar to work done on the Cowrie Range in 2018. The design has been completed and contractors are expected on site in April 2021.

Zig Zag Road – $3.297 million – Sections of Zig Zag Road are in excess of 20% grade and pose continual maintenance and disaster related issues. Council will undertake minor earthworks, crossroad stormwater drainage, table drainage design and rigid pavement design. The design is expected to be completed by January 2021, with contractors on site by May 2021.

Bloomfield Track – $3.495 million – improvement to problematic sections of the Track, an upgrade to Panikin Creek culvert and pavement upgrades adjacent to Woobadda Creek and Pierce’s Hill. The design is expected to be completed by January 2021, with contractors on site by May 2021.

Roads will remain open throughout construction, however there will be times when one lane is closed and traffic control will be in place.