$220 million for reconstruction works

Councils in disaster affected areas of Queensland will receive a $220 million injection of funding towards reconstruction efforts.

Premier Anna Bligh said the initial reconstruction funding would allow for the immediate roll-out of important public works in 18 local government areas affected by the disaster.

"Under a process that is being used for the first time we are accelerating the flow of reconstruction dollars back into impacted communities," Ms Bligh told State Parliament.

"In the January Mid-Year Review we committed to have $400 million into impacted communities by the end of the financial year.

"In the past such payments have been made to councils after the work has been complete.”

With the money now paid in advance, councils will work alongside the Queensland Reconstruction Authority to get the state back on track.

"The Queensland Reconstruction Authority is working with all impacted councils to keep this process rolling,” Ms Bligh said.

Councils impacted by disasters over the summer months supplied the Reconstruction Authority with a damage list and a signed funding agreement.

"Be assured those not on today's list will not be forgotten,” Ms Bligh said.

“Today is just the first stage.”

Ms Bligh said more than 80 per cent of the funding would go towards reconstruction of the state’s massive road network.

"Overall the funding will rise as we estimate the total damage bill for councils is likely to top $2 billion," she said.

Stage 1 funding includes:
Blackall- Tambo Regional Council – $2.9M
Brisbane City Council – $54M
Burdekin Shire Council – $1.7M
Cassowary Coast regional – $19.9M
Etheridge Shire Council (Georgetown) – $2.7M
Fraser Coast Regional Council – $2.1M
Goondiwindi Regional Council – $2.8M
Gympie Regional Council – $3.7M
Lockyer Valley Regional Council – $37.8M
Mackay Regional Council – $4.4M
Moreton Bay Regional Council – $2.8M
North Burnett Regional Council – $3.1M
Somerset Regional Council – $8.6M
South Burnett Regional Council – $25.9M
Tablelands Regional Council – $12.8M
Torres Shire Council – $64,900
Townsville City Council – $25.2M
Whitsunday Regional Council – $10M

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