The Queensland trucking industry is currently reeling as major floods in North Queensland have closed the Bruce Highway in several locations.
Over the weekend, flooding saw multiple parts of the highway damaged and subsequently closed, with the Ollera Creek Bridge between Ingham and Townsville having failed due to floodwaters tearing a hole through the link.
Now, Queensland’s road traffic updates say the Bruce Highway is closed in numerous spots, including between Townsville and Ingham, Ingham and Cardwell, Cardwell and Tully, Townsville and Charters and Charters and Pentland.
Queensland ministers are now beginning to respond to the news, with Queensland Premier David Crisafulli warning people in the area of flood inundation.
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“My message to North Queenslanders remains the same – follow and listen to the advice of emergency services,” he says.
Federal minister Bob Katter says he’s been told that the flooding at Ingham, Cardwell and Lucinda is “the worst flooding (seen) since 1967”.
“The Bruce Highway at Ollera Creek Bridge has been completely washed away, cutting off the only direct route between Townsville and northern communities. The rail line is also impacted, making recovery even harder,” Katter says.
“State member for Hinchinbrook, Nick Dametto, has been in discussions with the Queensland government, who have assured him they will spare no expense in fixing the damage. But we need federal support now!”
Katter is calling for the federal government to provide immediate emergency financial relief to affected families, to fund businesses impacted by the disaster, prioritise the rapid reconstruction of the Highway, ensure towns have enough cash flow for recovery efforts and allocate disaster recovery funding specifically for towns impacted.
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