The Honourable Craig Wallace
10/01/2011
Double the devastation of 1974
The damage bill to the state's transport network from the worst natural disaster in Queensland's history could end up double that of the destructive 1974 floods.
Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace today said Queensland's worst floods in 50 years had a devastating effect on the road network with a final bill possibly worse than the 1974 and 1991 floods combined.
The bill currently stands around $1.5 billion with the full extent of the damage a long way from being known.
Minister Wallace said the floods and continuing heavy rains could have a major long term impact on the entire State road network with a large part of the network still underwater.
"Frankly we just don't know the final impact yet," Mr Wallace said.
"Too much of the network is still underwater.
"It's proving difficult to access many parts of the network, which means it will be a long process but, wherever we can, our engineers are working around the clock to inspect and assess damage, and prioritise emergency works.
"We've had repair crews on the job for the last two weeks.
"We've got 33,000 km of state roads and the full extent of the damage can't be determined right now - it might not be known for many months - but we know it will be an unprecedented long term repair job.
"Very few stretches of road have been left untouched by weakened surfaces, potholes, verges and road base washed away or more serious structural damage.
"But our priority remains to get the roads safe and open.
"In the meantime, I urge all Queenslanders to stay safe on our roads. Drive to conditions and please don't drive into floodwaters."
"Broken roads can be fixed; broken families can't."
Mr Wallace said all available crews across the entire region were working around the clock to inspect and fix roads where possible.
"The recovery and rebuilding operation will be without parallel. We're pulling t together all levels of governments, private sector and emergency services to do everything to get infrastructure up and running as soon as possible.
State's worst flooded roads are:
• Capricorn Highway - Emerald to Rockhampton at Comet River, Dawson River and Yeppen Roundabout
• Leichhardt Highway from Goondiwindi to Wandoan
• Warrego Highway - Toowoomba to Mitchell
• Dawson Highway - Rolleston - Springsure
• Parts of the Bruce - north of Gympie to north of Gin Gin & southern entrance to Rockhampton
• Carnarvon Highway from Wallaroo Range to Rolleston
• Gregory Highway - Emerald to Capella
• Dawson Developmental Road - Springsure to Tambo
• Blackwater Rolleston Road including Humbolt Creek
• Fitzroy Developmental Road - Taroom to Bauhinia
• Burnett Highway and Goovigen to Dululu and Goomeri to Mundubbera
• Landsborough Highway - Tambo to Blackall at the Barcoo River
• Landsborough Highway - Blackall to Barcaldine at Patrick Creek
• Landsborough Highway - Barcaldine to Longreach multiple locations
• Bruce Highway - Gordonvale to Innisfail
• Gillies Range Road - Peet's Bridge to top of range
• Peninsula Developmental Road - entire length - Lakeland to Weipa
• Gregory Development Road - The Lynd to intersection 92C
• Kennedy Developmental Road - The Lynd to Etheridge/Flinders boundary
• Burke Developmental Road - Chillagoe to Tablelands Regional Council/Carpentaria Shire boundary
• Kalpowar Road
• Bundaberg-Gin Gin Road, at Splitters Creek
• Moonie Highway - Dalby to Moonie
• Barwon Highway (sections)
• Gatton-Clifton Road
• Chinchilla-Wondai Road (sections)
• Dalby-Kogan and Kogan-Condamine Roads
• Jackson-Wandoan Road
• Roma-Condamine Road
•Mitchell-St George Road
• Roma-Taroom Road
