David Crisafulli: ‘Rebuilding Ollera Ck bridge in same spot, same size is the definition of insanity’

Rebuilding the Ollera Creek bridge on the Bruce Highway in the same location and at the same height, doesn’t make a lot of sense. writes Premier David Crisafulli in an exclusive opinion piece.

If the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over and expect a different result, then rebuilding a bridge on the Bruce Highway at Ollera Creek, in the same location and at the same height, doesn’t make a lot of sense, David Crisafulli writes.

If the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over and expect a different result, then rebuilding a bridge on the Bruce Highway at Ollera Creek, in the same location and at the same height, doesn’t make a lot of sense.

It’s got to be higher, longer and stronger to withstand whatever Mother Nature throws its way.

Ollera Creek is a symbol of what happens when key-infrastructure goes down. Ingham, like many North Queensland communities, is at the mercy of the Bruce Highway.

So when that’s cut off and critical supplies and support come to a standstill, as it has this week, it can be the difference between life and death.

The Australian Defence Force has done a remarkable job installing a temporary bridge at Ollera Creek, and I couldn’t be more grateful for their quick response to give our Emergency Services access.

Ollera Creek Bridge washed away after the monster deluge in the state’s Far North. Picture: Facebook

What we’ve seen this week isn’t just about one bridge, it’s a generational opportunity to build back better.

It’s an opportunity for Betterment.

A decade ago, as Disaster Recovery Minster, I first put Betterment on the agenda. The Gayndah water treatment plant was a revolving headache. That piece of council infrastructure was washed away several times and had only just been recommissioned when it got washed away again.

At the time, the guidelines dictated it be replaced in the same location, to the same standard. Instead, we invested more to build it back better. Today, it stands disaster proof, having weathered subsequent events without a costly rebuild and a community with a vital service offline.

Queenslanders are resilient by nature, but we also need governments to build our community resilience for the future.

The Ollera Creek Bridge, north of Townnsville, where a temporary bridge has been put in place with help of the army. Picture: Scott Radford-Chisholm

That’s why I am putting more money on the table than ever before for Betterment, and we’re asking the Commonwealth Government to do the same so we can build back better.

Within our first 100 days we’ve unlocked $130 million of funding for Betterment to continue the recovery after Cyclone Jasper, and recovering from this week’s significant weather in North Queensland is next on the agenda.

Building back better is the fresh start Queenslanders need and we’re ready to do as we promised.

Recovery is a long road, but Queenslanders aren’t walking it alone. Our Government will walk alongside every community, regardless of its size, every step of the way.

Building back better may cost more upfront, but it will save money and heartache in the future.

In the end that’s what good government is about.

Originally published as David Crisafulli: ‘Rebuilding Ollera Ck bridge in same spot, same size is the definition of insanity’