Essential Ollera Creek bridge back in action ahead of more rain

A temporary bridge has been built along the Bruce Highway at Ollera Creek to reconnect Townsville and Ingham and allow emergency and supply crews to travel by road.

The Ollera Creek bridge has been destroyed by floodwater. Picture: Adam Head

Flood-soaked north Queensland is preparing for a “double whammy” of rain in coming days just as recovery efforts get into full swing.

A supply bridge was expected to be completed on Thursday by the Australian Defence Force at the Ollera Creek, reconnecting the Bruce Highway and allowing recovery crews road access between Townsville and Ingham for the first time since the floods began.

The road was swept away in flood waters last weekend; a ­temporary bridge for residents will follow.

Anthony Albanese said it was important to build back better.

“It’s madness to do the same thing over and over again and think you’ll get a different outcome,” the Prime Minister said in Townsville on Thursday.

“We are committed to building back better, making sure that with this bridge, we get a better one that’s higher, that’s longer, one that’s sustainable, and one that isn’t swept out the next time there is an event like this.”

Premier David Crisafulli agreed and said it would be better to spend more on the rebuild to get a better result.

The progress comes as emergency services were being deployed throughout the region on standby in preparation for a “double whammy” weather event between Ingham and Bowen, which could dump more rain in coming days.

“The double whammy is that you have conditions where everything is so waterlogged it has nowhere to go,” Mr Crisafulli said.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said stormy conditions were on the horizon.

Between 60mm and 80mm of rain fell in Townsville in a short burst on Thursday morning.

Mr Albanese announced an $8m co-funded community relief fund for the eight local ­governments that had been ­affected by the floods to go towards clean-up and community safety.

The federal government’s Disaster Recovery Plan was also to be activated on Thursday afternoon, and would be providing $1000 for eligible adults and $400 for children in certain areas.