Newsroom

February 5, 2025

KAP Federal Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter, believes that common sense has prevailed as the federal government today announced the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has been called in to deliver temporary repairs to the Ollera Creek Bridge - reinstating the now-cut Bruce Highway between Townsville and Ingham.

After calling on the federal government to deploy the ADF to assist with the bridge's restoration and resumption of vital traffic flow, Mr Katter publicly shared his thanks.

"We thank the Prime Minister for his urgent intervention to ensure the ADF have been deployed to provide immediate temporary repair of the Bruce Highway at Ollera Creek, reconnecting our northern flood-ravaged communities," Mr Katter said.

"We are deeply appreciative – after phoning all day yesterday and today – the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, and Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles, are intervening in this matter," Mr Katter said.

Continuing, Mr Katter said, “however, we MUST ensure that any temporary solution allows the passage of heavy vehicles that are essential to get our produce to southern markets and restock our northern communities.”

Mr Katter believes it is critical in significant weather events that all authorities work together to fast-track what is often an extensive, arduous recovery process for people who are already going through a nightmare-ish experience.

"We hope this will open up the road almost immediately to Ingham – where there's been what has been described as near-rioting as they've tried to ration food out in the supermarkets in Ingham.

"There's also some serious worries about the Abergowrie school where some 60 pupils from Cape York are dealing with a serious lack of supplies.

"There are many stories like this, proving this bridge needs attention NOW and we are deeply appreciative of the immediate action by the federal government on this problem."

Mr Katter confirmed that his staff have been fielding calls from concerned residents (and their family members) as those in outlying communities remain without electricity, running water and food provisions.

"My team and I are working hard to assist in managing this continuously evolving situation however we can," Mr Katter said.

"If your situation is dire – please – call the SES, and if you're in an emergency, call triple zero. Keep an eye on your neighbours and have grace for each other.

"We will continue to work closely with local disaster management groups, Councils, residents and other stakeholders to provide whatever assistance we can."