The Albanese Government will invest a further $91.8 million in disaster recovery and resilience for northern, Far North and north-west Queensland communities to help with the long-term needs of some of the most remote disaster-prone parts of the state.
Three new initiatives will support eligible communities and primary producers to recover from significant monsoonal flooding experienced over a number of years, and will strengthen the region to future severe weather events.
This includes a North Queensland Resilience Program of almost $85 million towards preparedness, prevention and mitigation measures to combat natural disaster risk across road and transport networks, community, and the environment.
The program will support local and regional projects that have been identified and prioritised by North Queensland's most disaster-hit local councils to improve disaster resilience.
Grants up to $150,000 will also be available to farmers impacted in the 2019 and 2023 floods to replenish livestock numbers and replace damaged fencing and other infrastructure, while a $2 million on-farm resilience study will be conducted on the feasibility of on-farm resilience measures such as building livestock refuge mounds and enhancing equipment and infrastructure to reduce disaster impacts.
The package will be administered by the Queensland Government.
This builds on the $119.1 million package announced last month by the Albanese and Miles Governments to help communities impacted by the prolonged 2023 monsoonal floods experienced across northern and central Queensland with long-term recovery.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt:
"The North cops more than its fair share of severe weather, so investing in disaster preparedness is crucial for keeping people safe and protecting local infrastructure so that it doesn't wash away every time we get a flood.
"Together with the Miles Government, the Albanese Government is building back better, to a more resilient standard, and working with local Councils to deliver projects they know are important for their communities."
"Primary production is the beating heart of the North and feeds so many Australians, so we want to equip our farmers with everything they need to understand and withstand the impacts of Mother Nature and to keep them connected in times of heavy rainfall and flooding.
"We're also keen to discover new solutions that improve on-farm resilience, and of course the resilience of communities, looking to preparedness, prevention and mitigation measures that are appropriate for our changing climate."
Quotes attributable to minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Nikki Boyd:
"For the third time in five years north Queensland is again experiencing severe flooding," Ms Boyd said.
"Greater resilience is needed to sustain against the continued natural disasters we're witnessing, and that's what this $91.8 million investment will deliver.
"In particular the North Queensland Resilience Program will prove crucial for building stronger roads and bridges and protecting the region's residents, environment and economy.
"The Queensland Government is pleased to be working with our federal counterparts to provide more disaster support for Queenslanders."
Additional information:
North Queensland Resilience Program – $84.8 million
- Allocative grants program to support local and regional disaster resilience.
- Available for regional projects in the following LGAs: Boulia, Burdekin, Burke, Carpentaria, Charters Towers, Cloncurry, Doomadgee, Douglas, Etheridge, Flinders, Hinchinbrook, McKinlay, Mornington, Mount Isa, Richmond, Townsville, Whitsunday, Winton.
- Administered by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA).
Restocking and On-farm Infrastructure Grants Program – $5 million
- Co-contribution grants up to $150,000 to primary producers to replace lost livestock and restore or replace lost or damaged on-farm infrastructure.
- Eligible LGAs: Boulia, Burke, Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Doomadgee, Mornington, Mount Isa.
- Administered by the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA).
On-farm Resilience Study – $2 million
- Will identify the feasibility of livestock refuge mounds and other on-farm resilient equipment and infrastructure options.
- Study will cover the following LGAs: Boulia, Burdekin, Burke, Carpentaria, Charters Towers, Cloncurry, Doomadgee, Douglas, Etheridge, Flinders, Hinchinbrook, McKinlay, Mornington, Mount Isa, Richmond, Townsville, Whitsunday, Winton.
- Developed and administered by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF).
