Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for Reconstruction Jeff Seeney announced today the Queensland Government would extend the term of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) until June 2014. 

 

Mr Seeney said the Government would amend the legislation which established the QRA to change the sunset clause that would have closed the authority in February next year. 

 

He said the authority still had a formidable program of reconstruction works to see completed. 

 

“The Government is determined to see the flood and cyclone affected areas of Queensland fully repaired,” Mr Seeney said. 

 

The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has welcomed the State Government’s announcement that it will extend the Queensland Reconstruction Authority’s term, saying it will give certainty to councils still working to re-build following the disasters in 2010 and 2011.

 

LGAQ’s chief executive Greg Hallam congratulated the State Government for heeding the warnings of councils that dismantling the QRA would risk unnecessary delays in the completion of reconstruction works.

 

"As we said earlier this month, the QRA has built good relationships with councils and we were worried that doing away with the Authority would put us back to square one," Mr Hallam said.

 

"This is a good and sensible outcome that will reassure communities recovering from floods and cyclones that the rebuilding work can be completed as soon and with as little fuss as possible."

 

 

The announcement by the State Government follows rumours that the State Government was investigating the possible consequences of winding up the Authority.

 

Rebuilding works associated with the 2010 and 2011 floods and cyclones need to be completed by June 2014. Most of the reconstruction program is funded under Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements in which the Commonwealth funds 75 percent of project costs.