Feds Finalise Funds For Flood Levee

Published on 15 March 2019

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Rockhampton Regional Council has succeeded in gaining Federal Liberal National Government support through the Regional Growth Fund for its South Rockhampton Flood Levee project.

Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, said the grant of $25 million for the Levee is great news for the region following a highly competitive assessment process that saw more than 300 applications being received from state, territory and local governments, businesses and not-for-profit organisations.

“This represents a significant boost for Rockhampton, the region, and the whole state” Ms Landry said.

“The South Rocky Levee will help keep Rockhampton and the whole of Central Queensland open for business.

“This is a project that will not only deliver jobs during construction but help protect low-lying suburbs and the Bruce Highway.

“We’ve seen the value of the Yeppen South Crossing keeping the Bruce Highway open and I expect the protection of Gladstone Road to have a similar effect as we keep all that traffic off Upper Dawson Road,” said Ms Landry.

“After coming on quite a journey with this project, I am proud to be part of a Government that is delivering it for Central Queenslanders.”

Rockhampton Region Mayor Margaret Strelow thanked Michelle Landry and the Federal Government for the funding which makes the levee possible.

“We were always confident that the business case for the South Rockhampton Flood Levee would stack up and thanks to $25 million from the Federal and the State Governments, we are now in a position to change the future and the image of our city.

“This levee will deliver huge benefits for our community, it will protect 150 businesses and 3000 jobs, allow uninterrupted schooling for the students at two primary schools and spare more than 1500 homes from the devastation of big floods.

“Once the levee is built, it is estimated it will pay for itself in just one major flood event.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the $272.2 million Regional Growth Fund provides grants of $10 million or more for major transformational projects that create regional jobs and support long-term economic growth.

“The Regional Growth Fund is specifically designed to fund projects that have been carefully assessed as having real potential to generate jobs and economic growth in regional communities across Australia,” Mr McCormack said.

“Successful applications for grants under the fund focus on building on existing strengths, re-invigorating industries and tapping into a region’s tourism potential.

“The Regional Growth Fund will be a significant source of much needed investment in our regions.”

Funding provided under the Regional Growth Fund is part of the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government’s $3.7 billion commitment to regional development programs.

Information on the Fund and further funding announcements are available at http://regional.gov.au/regional/programs/regional-growth-fund.aspx.