Minister for Community Services and Housing and Minister for Women
The Honourable Karen Struthers
01/01/2011
Assistance for Bundaberg area residents affected by flooding
Bundaberg area residents affected by Queensland's worst flooding in 50 years will be able to access financial help and counselling services at a local Community Recovery Centre starting Sunday, January 2.
Community Services Minister Karen Struthers today said the centre would be set up in the Bundaberg PCYC on Maryborough Street so affected members of the community who were returning to their homes had coordinated help nearby.
"We know a lot of Queenslanders are doing it tough right now and we're doing what we can to help," Ms Struthers said.
"At the centre, eligible people will be able to apply for Personal Hardship Grants of $170 per person or a maximum of $850 for a family of five or more to help with replacing essentials like food, clothing, medications and accommodation.
"Essential Household Contents Grants of up to $5120 may also be available to eligible low-income families to help with the replacement or repair of uninsured, essential household contents which have been lost, damaged or destroyed by flooding.
"Further assistance is also available to help repair owner-occupied, uninsured residences damaged by flooding, with means tested Structural Assistance Grants of up to $10 500 for individuals and $14 200 for families."
The centre will operate from 9am to 5pm each day from the PCYC on Maryborough Street at Bundaberg until further notice and outreach teams will be out and about visiting affected people in their homes.
Applications for financial assistance can be made in person at the Community Recovery Centre or by phoning the Community Recovery Line on 1800 173 349.
The need to open further recovery centres in other parts of Queensland will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Information about assistance is also available at www.communities.qld.gov.au
2010 Queensland road toll lowest on record
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services
The Honourable Neil Roberts
01/01/2011
2010 Queensland road toll lowest on record
The State Government and the Queensland Police Service today confirmed the 2010 road toll was 84 less than last year and the lowest since accurate records began nearly 60 years ago.
Police Minister Neil Roberts and Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Ross Barnett said the result further strengthened the Government and Police Service's resolve to continue with road-safety initiatives which have demonstrated their worth in reducing the road toll.
Mr Roberts said while the reduction in the 2010 final road toll figure was pleasing, it was still a terrible tragedy that 247 people had lost their lives on Queensland roads this year.
"The road toll rate in 2010 was 5.47 fatalities per 100,000 people, which is 26.8% lower than the rate of 7.48 in the previous year," Mr Roberts said.
"This is the lowest road fatality rate recorded for a calendar year since accurate records began in 1952."
"However we have to remember that 247 people are unfortunately no longer with us as a result of road crashes, leaving behind mourning family and friends."
"As well as being the lowest rate on record, numerically the 2010 road toll is lower than the previous lowest toll of 251 in 1952.
"Successful initiatives in reducing the road toll include the deployment of fixed, mobile and covert speed cameras as part of our Anytime, Anywhere campaign and the recent extension of speed cameras into 40 and 50 km/h zones."
"I have no doubt these measures have contributed to this year's reduced toll. However, any death on our roads is a tragedy and our philosophy always is one death is one too many."
"I want to pay tribute to and thank the police, firefighters, paramedics and other emergency services personnel who worked hard in 2010 to help make our roads safer."
"Their efforts have played a huge part in lowering this year's road toll."
Deputy Commissioner Barnett said it was particularly concerning th at despite the ongoing efforts of the Queensland Police Service, speed and alcohol continued to be a significant contributing factor to road fatalities.
"It's obviously distressing that speed and alcohol continue to contribute to the Queensland road toll," Deputy Commissioner Barnett said.
"Preliminary advice is that in 2010, 56 deaths or 23% of the road toll was speed related and approximately 61 deaths, or 25% of the road toll to date was alcohol related. Those percentages are consistent with 2009, with speed and alcohol accounting for 23 and 31 percent of the 2009 road toll respectively."
"So while it's a great result that the road toll is way down, it's really unfortunate some people continue to risk the lives of themselves, their loved ones and other road users by taking unnecessary risks."
"In 2011, motorists can expect to see an ever increasing police presence on the road, including high visibility vehicles, random drug testing, random breath testing, speed cameras, covert camera, static and mobile speed detection and an increased presence from marked and unmarked vehicles will be monitoring our roads anytime, anywhere throughout the state."
"The Queensland Police Service cannot stop you making bad, dangerous decisions but we are determined to continue our no-tolerance enforcement of the road rules in 2011."
Queensland flood appeal hits $7 million mark
Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Anna Bligh
31/12/2010
Flood appeal hits $7 million mark
Queensland's flood appeal has hit the $7 million mark thanks to generous donations from Origin Energy and the Commonwealth Bank.
Premier Anna Bligh today thanked the companies who today each contributed $1 million to the appeal, taking the total donated to date to $7.25 million.
"These companies have businesses right across Queensland and many have themselves been significantly affected," Ms Bligh said.
"What's more many of their employees and customers are also doing it tough.
"The support from the corporate sector for this public appeal in the past 48 hours has been amazing."
Ms Bligh thanked all of the companies who had donated to date, saying they had once again confirmed their commitment to Queenslanders.
"We are now well beyond the $7 million mark and every cent will go right back to Queenslanders across these flood ravaged towns."
The Australian Red Cross has agreed to manage the fund on behalf of the Queensland Government, with the Government and Red Cross covering any administration costs.
The Premier, who was in Rockhampton and Bundaberg today with Prime Minister Julia Gillard, said the damage bill when the flood waters finally receded would be enormous.
"Obviously we won't have a true picture of the extent of the damage until the flood waters recede and the clean up begins but in state owned infrastructure alone, such as roads, rail and schools, we are looking at a bill that could well run into the billions.
"This doesn't include the damage to crops, and of course the heart-breaking damage to personal property.
"Queenslanders are going to need every bit of help they can get and the support for the disaster relief appeal has been overwhelming."
Ms Bligh welcomed the Commonwealth's announcement today it would provide additional assistance ($1000 per adult and $400 per child) for people significantly affected by the floods.
"The Gillard Government has been working closely with us to ensure that Queenslanders affected by these devastating floods will be able to access as much support and assistance as they need."
Ms Bligh said today's announcement by the Commonwealth would build on the existing assistance already available for people in flood affected areas provided jointly by the State and Commonwealth governments, including:
• Personal Hardship Assistance grants of $170 per person, up to a maximum of $850 for a family of five or more, are available to people experiencing hardship to meet the cost of essentials like food, clothing, medical supplies and accommodation.
• The Essential Household Contents Grant provides assistance of up to $1640 for individuals and $4980 for families to help with the cost of replacing items like fridges and other essential household items.
• Structural Assistance Grants of up to $10500 for individuals and $14200 for families a re available to help repair uninsured owner-occupied homes.
People who are experiencing personal hardship due to the flooding should contact the Department of Communities on 1800 173 349 or visit www.communities.qld.gov.au
To donate to the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal go to www.qld.gov.au/floods
Flood Update: Other states sending aid to Queensland
Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Anna Bligh
31/12/2010
Other states sending aid to Queensland
Premier Anna Bligh today thanked the New South Wales and Victorian Governments for their commitment of relief personnel to assist with the flood response and recovery in Queensland.
The Premier visited flood affected communities in Bundaberg and Rockhampton with the Prime Minister today and said the extra personnel would go a long way to assisting those in need.
"Our hardworking emergency services personnel and volunteers are doing a fantastic job dealing with these extraordinary floodwaters," Ms Bligh said.
"I want to sincerely thank our southern neighbours for their welcome contribution during this difficult time."
"These additional personnel will relieve exhausted staff and volunteers across the state and in particular, begin the difficult job of rebuilding and recovery."
"This is a marathon, not a sprint and where we can, we need to relieve our dedicated staff and volunteers."
Around thirty volunteers will arrive from Victoria next week along with four to six Instant Management Team staff.
NSW will send twenty operations centre staff.
Arrangements for where these volunteers will deploy are still being made. Some will certainly be based at the Emergency Coordination Centre at Kedron to assist with planning recovery efforts, and others will sent to at-risk areas as the need arises.
"Many of the staff at EMQ have been working tirelessly since Christmas Day to ensure our state is well prepared for these unprecedented weather events."
"Visiting Rockhampton and Bundaberg today and Emerald yesterday, I was again reminded of the incredible resilience and community spirit of Queenslanders."
"On behalf of all Queenslanders, but particularly those hit hardest by these floods, I want to thank the people of New South Wales and Victoria for their support.
"The most important thing to do at the moment is to ensure residents remain safe and I pay tribute to the fantastic work all emergency personnel and volunteers are doing across the State."
LNP Opposition looks foolish over attacks on Tugun desalination plant
Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
31/12/2010
Tugun desal plant delivering water security for SEQ
The Tugun desalination plant is delivering South East Queensland residents with vital clean drinking water after unprecedented rainfalls have resulted in poor water quality in the Brisbane River.
The desalination facility was brought up to full capacity on Wednesday after heavy rainfall over the Lockyer Valley and Bremer catchments resulted in large amounts of sediment in floodwaters flowing down the Brisbane River.
Water Minister Stephen Robertson said the poor water quality presented real challenges for water treatment plants like those at Mount Crosby, which are the main supply for Brisbane.
"The Mount Crosby plant is continuing to produce safe drinking water, but its production has been limited due to the amount of sediment in the waters flowing down the Brisbane River," Mr Robertson said.
"Bringing the desalination plant up to full capacity meant that the flood-associated issues at Mt Crosby could be addressed without compromising water security or quality for Brisbane.
"This supply has been used to replenish reservoirs on the Gold Coast and for pumping into Brisbane via the Southern Regional Water Pipeline, ensuring that supply to Brisbane remains constant and at a high quality.
"The Tugun desalination facility and interconnecting pipelines have again proven that they underpin water security for South East Queensland, ensuring that we continued to supply good quality drinking water," Mr Robertson said.
"We have always said the plant is an investment that will deliver water security to South East Queensland both now and into the future.
"And that's just what it's doing," he said.
"By maintaining the desalination facility in standby mode, we will ensure that it is available when needed in the future - without the cost of producing water at other times.
"What's more, the events of the last week demonstrate that the Bligh Government's water grid also delivers major benefits in terms of flood protection and water quality management."
Illegal use of fireworks can lead to serious injury and a heavy fine
Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
31/12/2010
Illegal use of fireworks can lead to serious injury and a heavy fine
Queenslanders illegally using firecrackers and fireworks risk serious injury and heavy fines, Mines and Energy Minister Stephen Robertson warned today.
"As New Year celebrations approach some people may be tempted to purchase illegal fireworks," he said.
"Fireworks are dangerous and if not used properly can cause severe burns, blindness, loss of limbs and even death.
"These fireworks may not meet the stringent safety standards imposed by the Queensland Government for the authorised sale of fireworks to licensed operators.
"Queensland banned the sale of crackers and fireworks to the public in 1972 for safety reasons.
"It is an offence for the public to buy, possess or use fireworks and anyone caught will be prosecuted.
"The penalties are severe - up to $40,000 and/or six months' imprisonment."
Mr Robertson said even the humble sparkler - which the public can legally buy - has the potential to injure people if not used correctly and under supervision.
"I am urging anyone with information relating to the illegal sale or use of fireworks to pass that information on to police."
Mr Robertson also urged Queenslanders to take care when attending organised public fireworks displays during New Year celebrations.
"We want people to remember these fireworks celebrations for all the right reasons, not because someone ignored safety instructions from the event organisers," he said.
All approved public fireworks displays in the state are conducted by licensed fireworks contractors who operate under the
"Queensland Government Explosives Inspectors will be on the ground checking fireworks display set-ups before New Year events to ensure all safety requirements have been followed.
"Licensed fireworks operators are extremely safety conscious and I am asking the public to be safety conscious too.
"Follow all safety instructions given by fireworks operators, event organisers and security personnel, and keep behind safety barriers."
Mr Robertson also reminded people to keep their pets safe.
"Dogs and cats can be frightened by fireworks, become distressed and escape from their properties, only to be found wandering some kilometres away. Horses can also be frightened and should be restrained.
"Before you leave home to see the fireworks, please secure your dogs inside the house or garage, where they'll be in familiar surroundings and cannot escape or injure themselves," he said.
More information about explosives and fireworks safety is available on the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation-Mines website at
www.dme.qld.gov.au/mines/explosives_fireworks_safety.cfm
For further information about fireworks safety, contact government Explosives Inspectors by telephone on:
• Brisbane and Southern Queensland: 3238 3728
•Central Queensland: 4938 4442
• Northern Queensland: 4799 7004
• Statewide: 1300 739 868
Should teens face criminal charges after floating 15km along dangerously swollen river
It was a totally idiotic thing for the three teenagers to attempt to float 50km downstream from Ipswich to Brisbane along the Bremer and Brisbane Rivers on blow-up mattresses. (See story below.)
These clowns should be roundly condemned for their dangerous stupidity.
But the question needs to be asked as to why the forces of the Queensland criminal law should be wasted on prosecuting this trio.
Queenslanders do relatively stupid things every day and are never charged with public nuisance.
Examples include:
• Driving through flooded streams and causeways
• Climbing places such as Mt Tibrogargan
• Fishing off sea walls and rock ledges
• Swimming outside the flags on patrolled beaches
• Using hang gliders and gyrocopters.
No one ever gets charged for these "crimes".
But if you are a fun-loving kid from Ipswich, you are hauled off to the slammer and treated like a common criminal for throwing blow-up mattresses into the Bremer River for a bit of a frolic.
When the "public nuisance" provisions replaced the old "disorderly conduct" offence under the Queensland Vagrants, Gaming and Other Offences Act 1931", it was never thought that the Queensland police state would re-emerge as strong as ever having gone into hibernation following the anti-authoritarian Bjelke-Petersen regime from 1968 to 1987.
Now, every human foible and minor peccadillo runs the risk of police scrutiny and prosecution in the already overloaded magistrates court.
The Queensland Police Service under Commissioner Bob Atkinson should stop being the self-appointed fun police of Queensland.
Who could ever forget the disgraceful police incident some years ago when an all-night party goer walking through the Brisbane Mall around 6am wearing a tutu was arrested for creating a public nuisance.
Who did he offend? Who was he a nuisance to? - Just a couple of prude coppers, no doubt.
It is also reminiscent of the disgraceful incident at the Goodna Boat Ramp when a speedboat driver who had been involved in a crash on the river objected to being filmed by a television news cameraman.
The Goodna Police threatened to charge the cameraman - who was over 30 metres away - with public nuisance if he continued.
That was a pure neo-Nazi approach to closing down the Queensland media and denying the public the right to know about the incident which occurred in a public place and was a matter of genuine public interest.
Police harassment of fun-loving Queenslanders - and the media - should stop now.
Commissioner Atkinson should put that as Number 1 on his list of 2011 New Year's Resolutions.
Original Story:
27.12.2010
Teens float 15km along dangerously swollen river
Daniel Hurst
December 27, 2010 - 7:59PM

Three men in Ipswich attempted to float from Ipswich to South Bank on blow-up air mattresses.
Three teenagers allegedly tried to float 50 kilometres from Ipswich to Brisbane on blow-up air mattresses amid dangerous conditions have been charged with public nuisance.
Police said the men, one aged 18 and the other two 17, began their quest to ride to Brisbane's South Bank when they entered the swollen and fast-flowing Bremer River around lunch time today.
The "foolish" trio allegedly launched their single blow-up mattresses at the point where Ironpot Creek flows into the Bremer River, near Gregory and Sydney streets, just to the north-west of central Ipswich.
Police received a call just before 1pm from a worried resident who saw the men floating down the river, but officers were unable to find the trio when they conducted a patrol near Sydney Street.
During this time another observer approached police, triggering an extensive search involving four police crews and then SES swift water rescuers.
The SES patrolled from the Brisbane River and Bremer River junction, finding the group about 500 metres south of the Warrego Highway bridge over the Bremer River.
Police said the trio had floated about 15 kilometres, during which time police received nearly a dozen triple-zero calls to assist the men, before they were retrieved from the river at 2.30pm.
If they had made it to their destination of South Bank, the men would have travelled about 50 kilometres.
A police statement said the men, who were from West Ipswich and Redbank Plains, were issued with notices to appear in court for public nuisance offences.
The statement castigated the men over their "foolish and dangerous" behaviour, saying conditions could change rapidly.
"This type of behaviour is hazardous and unpredictable due to the nature of flood waters and the dangers associated with storm debris and road washouts," police said in the statement.
"Parents are also reminded to ensure their children are not playing in flood prone waterways, watercourses and drains as water levels can rise quickly."
Meanwhile, two adults and two children have been winched to safety after getting stranded and clinging to a tree in floods south of Toowoomba.
An Emergency Management Queensland helicopter had to be brought in to assist the four people, who became stuck along Toowoomba Karara Road near Leyburn this afternoon, a spokesman said.
Authorities were called to the scene about 3.30pm but Queensland Fire and Rescue workers were unable to get to the group by vehicle, he said.
They were winched to safety just before 5pm.
The EMQ spokesman could not confirm how the group became stranded, but the incident comes in the wake of repeated warnings by authorities not to drive across flooded roads.
Earlier today, Acting Queensland Premier Paul Lucas said 20 people had been rescued by swift water rescue crews in the past two days following the recent deluge.
Police, meanwhile, said two children were lucky to survive after they were swept into waters at Proston, northwest of Kingaroy, today.
The 16-year-old girl and her 17-year-old brother were believed to have been attempting to cross the flooded Stuart River Bridge on Boondooma Road when they were swept downstream by the fast-flowing waters, police said.
They grabbed onto a tree and held onto it while awaiting rescue by emergency services workers.
Gympie Superintendent Ron Van Saane said the two were extremely lucky to have escaped their ordeal relatively unscathed.
"This was so nearly a terrible tragedy for a Queensland family," he said in a statement.
"We are again urging members of the public not to enter or drive into flood waters.
"They are inherently dangerous with many unforeseen hazards. Do not be deceived by the surface appearance of water, and don't risk your life or that of others by trying cross swollen bridges or watercourses."
WORSE TO COME FOR SODDEN QUEENSLAND: LUCAS
Deputy Premier and Minister for Health
The Honourable Paul Lucas
27/12/2010
WORSE TO COME FOR SODDEN QUEENSLAND: LUCAS
Acting Premier Paul Lucas has warned the big Christmas wet was far from over and urged Queenslanders to prepare for worsening conditions.
Mr Lucas, who visited flood-affected areas of the Central Highlands with Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts today, said a severe weather warning remained in place over much of the state.
"Heavy rainfall has already been experienced across inland areas in the past 24 hours.
Heavy falls are expected to saturate southern and inland areas of the State over the next few days," he said.
"We spoke today with officials of the Banana Shire and Central Highlands Regional councils, pledging government support.
"State, district and local disaster management groups are working together to prepare residents throughout the Queensland.
Theodore, Chinchilla, Jericho, Alpha, Barcaldine, Killarney, Taroom, Eidsvold and Emerald are experiencing flooding or expecting to be flooded.
"Other towns could be added to the list, depending on how much rain falls over the next couple of days, and where."
Mr Lucas said the Dawson River at Theodore was at its highest level for 50 years and the town was isolated.
"Authorities have now called for voluntary evacuations.
"If the advice is to take the unprecedented step for mandatory evacuation of the entire town, I have indicated that the Government will support that."
Mr Lucas and Minister Roberts were told while in Emerald that heavy rain overnight would flow into already saturated catchments.
"We are closely monitoring river heights and flows but further flooding is certain.
"Many of Emerald's residents, including the Mayor, remember the last serious flood in 2008."
"We are also closely monitoring the flooded rivers that flow into the Fitzroy, with the possibility of flooding in Rockhampton either this weekend or early next week."
Rain continues and water levels continue to rise at isolated Chinchilla and Dalby.
"Many houses and businesses in low-lying areas were cut off by floodwaters as water levels rose above the 6.6m level of the 1983 flood," Mr Roberts said.
"An evacuation centre has been established in at the Chinchilla Cultural Centre.
"For the second time during these most recent floods, the emergency alert will be used tonight in Dalby.
"The alert will enable all affected residents to be warned, as the Myall Creek rises rapidly.
We are also closely watching the situation at Dalby and Roma, but the major threat seems to have passed in Charleville."
A severe weather warning is in place for the east coast between St Lawrence and the NSW border, extending inland to the southern central highlands and Coalfields, the northeast Maranoa and Warrego and northern Darling Downs and Granite Belt districts.
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service swift water rescue personnel have responded to more e than 50 incidents since December 17. They have been involved with police and SES volunteers in 20 incidents in the past 24 hours.
"Thirteen people have been rescued from floodwaters," Mr Roberts said.
"With 21 flood-related deaths over the past two seasons, we again highlight the dangers poses by floodwaters.
"We appeal for people to keep out of floodwaters - they can be deadly."
More than 1500 calls have been made to the SES 132 500 number in the last 24 hours. The majority of calls have been for advice and assistance with flood operations.
SES jobs have included assisting with leaky roofs, sandbagging and transporting of people and supplies across flooded waterways.
Emergency services are on standby throughout the State to assist residents, for storm and flood related assistance contact the State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500 and for assistance in a life threatening emergency call Triple Zero (000).
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