Premier Anna Bligh puts it plainly in her negotiations with the Federal Government for financial support to repair QLD’s damaged essential infrastructure: “I don’t think there are many services more essential than fresh drinking water and the ability to flush the toilet.”
An estimated $400 million damage from the floods was done to sewerage waste water and public transport infrastructure across QLD.
Currently under section 3.6.2.b of the National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements water sewerage and public transport are ineligible.
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman says the floods had cost Brisbane City Council an estimated $440 million or $1000 per ratepayer. Council Finance chairman said the flood’s budget blow was the equivalent of 10 global financial crises. The greatest damage was to roads ($137.3 million) clean-up ($61.3 million) and lost revenue ($5.4 million).