$18 Million to Help Upgrade Einasleigh River 'Bridge'

Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure and Local Government, today announced that the Rudd Labor Government would offer up to $18 million to help upgrade the flood-damaged Einasleigh River 'bridge' in the Gulf region of north-west Queensland.

The project has been supported by six local government authorities - Etheridge, Carpentaria, Burke, Croydon, Mornington and Doomadgee.

This funding to improve flood immunity and safety has been offered from the Government's $800 million Community Infrastructure Program - the largest one-off investment in local infrastructure in Australia's history.

The Government has given special consideration to applications from flood and bushfire affected Councils for this program.

In January and February this year, severe flooding of the Gulf Development Road crossing on the Einasleigh River cutting off communities like Karumba and Normanton in the Gulf of Carpentaria for up to 10 weeks.

The current 'bridge', which consists of a 3.1 metre-high causeway covers only 40 per cent of the river and is prone to flooding.

On January 30, a 12-metre section of the bridge on its western approach washed away, with flood waters taking another six metres on the eastern approach.

Although basic repairs were made to re-open the bridge, it continues to remain vulnerable to annual flooding.

We are investing in major community infrastructure in disaster-affected communities not only to support jobs and local economies, but also help communities get back to on their feet.

Federal funding will contribute to this upgrade of the Einasleigh River bridge, which is expected to include the following components:

• Design and geotechnical surveys;
• Construction; and
• Commissioning of the bridge.

The Gulf Development Road is the economic lifeline of the region, bringing food, medical supplies, fuel and other goods and services into communities and taking agriculture and fisheries exports out of the region.

The more than 400-kilometre long Gulf Development Road is the only sealed road that links Cairns and the Normanton regions in far northern Queensland.

Economic impact studies commissioned by the Etheridge and Croydon Shire Councils shows that about $147 million worth of agricultural and fisheries' products are transported annually along the road.

Not only is this project expected to generate local construction activity, but it will also deliver lasting benefits for the community.

This funding builds on $600,000 already delivered to these six councils for seven smaller-scale local community projects.

The Rudd Labor Government is working in partnership with local government to fund more than 3,000 community projects across Australia that will support jobs, stimulate local economies and deliver long-term improvements in communities.