It is expected the State and Federal governments will cover most of the AUD440 million damage bill. But Brisbane Labor leader Shayne Sutton told last night’s council meeting better insurance could have covered more of the gap.
“You’ve been saying that you’ve been concerned about river flooding for years, so why didn’t you make sure council had sufficient flood insurance to cover the cost of rebuilding the damaged CityCat terminals, riverwalk and other council infrastructure?” she said.
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman says paying for more insurance would have been a waste of money and a burden on ratepayers.
“That means that every year the people of Brisbane would have paid more, even though the Federal Government had always been there with a scheme where they were prepared to pay the money,” he said.
“I hear the Leader of the Opposition muttering. That’s because she doesn’t understand proper, sound financial management.”
Volunteers thanked
Both sides of politics also also used the first council meeting of the year to thank the volunteers who helped clean up after last month’s flood.
Mr Newman told the chamber he would never forget the sight of the so-called mud army which turned out to help.
“What terrific people live in the city of Brisbane,” he said. “I’m proud to be the Lord Mayor of Brisbane.”
Ms Sutton says the huge volunteer effort has been recognised across Australia and the world. “The inspiring thing about the floods was our community’s response,” she said.
Councillor David McLachlan also praised those who did the dirty work at the Brisbane Markets.
“The impact on the senses of hundreds of kilos of prawns left unrefrigerated and flooded for several days doesn’t bear thinking,” he said.
Around 23,000 volunteers registered to help after the flood.
Source : ABC News
