The Prime Minister and the Chief Minister are pleased to announce
the formation of a $10 million Katherine Region Redevelopment Programme,
to help the community of Katherine recover from the devastating floods.
The target is $10 million, of which the two Governments will contribute
one third each and is in addition to the significant contribution
of $31 million already announced by the Commonwealth.
We are now asking business in the region, from banks to mining companies,
to contribute the remaining third of this fund.
Corporate contributions will be tax deductible.
It is understood that Westpac Bank is supportive of the programme
and will be making a statement later today. I join with Shane Stone
in applauding this prompt response from Westpac.
It is in everyone's interests that Katherine is operating normally
again as soon as possible. The primary focus of this fund will be
to get business started again in Katherine, so that income can start
to flow and people can begin to rebuild.
Last week the Federal Government announced an emergency $5 million
worth of road funding to rebuild the Sturt Highway - the main delivery
route for goods into and out of Katherine.
Today's fund will cover areas such as re-establishment of electricity,
rehabilitation of Katherine Terrace (the main business centre), assistance
to restart business and repairing the Tourism Information Centre.
This will complement other Government action to help the residents
of Katherine. These include funding to help restore infrastructure
and financial assistance to rebuild homes and businesses.
The Commonwealth has already committed some $31 million in direct
disaster relief so far, with a further $11 million in direct assistance
from the Northern Territory.
Both leaders praised the way the community has pulled together in
this difficult time, in the best traditions of Australian mateship
and helping your neighbour.
The Australian Defence Forces have also been magnificent with the
assistance they have provided to Katherine residents.
They paid special tribute to the efforts of the Australian Defence
Forces, Police and Emergency Services and other volunteers for the
magnificent assistance they have provided to the residents of Katherine.
Prime Minister Howard and Chief Minister Stone said the workers'
efforts deserve the highest praise.
The flooding at Katherine has been quite extraordinary in the damage
it has caused. Houses and businesses have been covered in water for
days at a time. The business centre of Katherine has been very badly
damaged. This represents a significant impediment to the ability of
Katherine and the region to recover from the flooding.
The flooding is greater than a one in a hundred year event and this
has necessitated an additional effort from Government.
This need for an extra effort is behind the formation of the Katherine
Region Redevelopment Programme.