The toxic landslip at Beardow Street in Lismore Heights will be remediated thanks to a grant of $2.4 million, the Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said.
“This is a great outcome for an ongoing issue since the damage was done by Cyclone Debbie in 2017,” he said.
“Lismore City Council came to me looking for financial help for the remediation work. That is why the Federal Government has ensured eligible reconstruction costs will be funded under the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
“This means the hazardous materials exposed by the landslip can be safely removed and disposed, and the road rebuilt allowing residents to once again access their homes.”
Lismore City Council’s executive director Infrastructure Services, Gary Murphy said this was a great example of how three levels of government could work together.
“Lismore Council had been working closely with the State Government through Roads & Maritime Services and the Office of Emergency Management. These agencies, along with the Federal Member Kevin Hogan have helped us secure the funding we need to complete the removal of contaminated material before July 1.
“The landslip was the result of a natural disaster two years ago and it’s appropriate that we can all work together to secure these federal funds, that are allocated for natural disaster recovery, rather than have it put upon the ratepayers of Lismore. “
He said the contaminated material needs to be taken to a licensed waste disposal facility. The closest appropriate facility is in Ipswich. With the Queensland Government’s new waste levy taking effect from 1 July, the potential additional costs to Lismore ratepayers for the disposal of the contaminated material could have been in the order of $1.5 to $2 million.
