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The Gold Coast will receive more than $1.6 million in disaster relief funding from the State Government to help cover the cost of emergency and post-disaster repairs.

Mayor Ron Clarke said the relief funding was welcome and recognised the significant clean-up costs resulting from major storms and extreme weather events.

“This funding is for flood damage sustained by the city in late December 2007 and early January 2008,” said Cr Clarke.

“While we recognise the State Government’s assistance in the wake of major storms, it is appropriate that we also recognise the extraordinary efforts of many dedicated people who work so hard in these clean-up efforts.

“Council staff, contractors and volunteers work tirelessly cleaning up across the city following major storms.

“Many work long hours in difficult conditions repairing beaches and roads, clearing debris, and restoring vital city infrastructure to ensure the safety of local residents and visitors.

“For most people, the cyclonic conditions that decimated our city’s beautiful beaches earlier this year are now just a distant memory, yet after only a couple of months, many of these beaches are already back to their former glory.

“In fact, most of our beaches were re-opened to the public within days of the cyclone.

“It is very easy to forget that this does not happen by itself.”

The relief funding represents 75 per cent of the estimated $2.1 million clean-up bill following the 2007-08 storms.