PM announces $66m after criticism over rain gauge system
Premier Anthony Albanese has announced another $26 million in funding for Far North Queensland amid a significant rain event, bringing the total to $66 million.
The announcement came after days of criticism from Prime Minister David Crisafulli; He said outdated systems meant those in the community were on hold during extreme weather conditions.
Speaking in Clermont, where flash floods destroyed 50,000 cattle and triggered several emergency water rescue operations, the prime minister said state governments and local councils were responsible for their infrastructure but the government had allocated significant funds to help them.
The federal government has allocated more than $200 million over 10 years to replace rain gauges, rain towers, warning signs and cameras, Albanese said.
“Operational questions are best directed to the Bureau. [of Meteorology]“Currently the majority of flood meters are in the hands of local councils and state government agencies.
“They are responsible for their own infrastructure, but that’s why we established this fund.
“We are putting 236 million dollars on the table in 10 years.
“I have a good working relationship with Prime Minister David Crisafulli. I’m not trying to politicize any of these issues. We will work constructively; as today, we are announcing that we are working constructively with you.” [the local council].”
Earlier this week, Crisafulli blamed the federal BoM’s flood measurement system and radar coverage for failing to provide adequate information during floods.
Crisafulli repeatedly criticized the bureau’s radar range and communications tools during the wet season, initially describing the service as flawed when southeast Queensland residents were caught off guard by severe storms in October.
He said Tuesday that outdated rain gauges and expanded radar coverage in remote areas meant residents were caught off guard during disasters.
“In many cases, you have areas where you have two radars so far apart that they are not covered,” Crisafulli said.
“There is no facility investment and if it were in the capital you couldn’t afford it.
“If there’s a few streets in Sydney or Melbourne where they’re not being given information that could harm them, there’s no world saying this can’t be resolved by lunchtime – that’s the truth.”
Crisafulli said the blame lay not with the bureau but with a lack of investment in resources from multiple federal governments to Far North Queensland.
“Information is the difference between life and death, and communities are flying blind because there has been no investment in things like rain gauges and, in many places, radars that would warn of impending danger,” he said.
The new federal funding will also go towards the primary producers support package, extraordinary disaster recovery assistance grants, the mental health recovery program and the urgent recovery needs of Isaac District Council.
Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain said the effects of the recent floods were not yet fully known, but the federal government could assist with additional assistance if necessary.
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