Shoring up our shoreline: Crisafulli Government to make Queensland's coast more resilient
- $6 million funding available from the Queensland Government's QCoast2100 program
- Coastal councils can apply to strengthen resilience against coastal hazards including sea erosion and storm tide inundation from cyclones
- The program will help create stronger, safer and more resilient Queensland communities through disaster mitigation works and planning on the coast
Queensland councils can strengthen their coastal hazard resilience with more than $6 million in grant funding now available from the Queensland Government's pioneering QCoast2100 program.
Coastal local governments can apply for grant funding to implement forward-thinking strategies and deliver essential infrastructure to protect residents, ecosystems, and local economies from sea erosion, storm tide inundation and sea level rise due to climate change, through coastal hazard adaptation works.
This includes sand replenishment of beaches and ecofriendly seawalls, and support for First Nation councils to plan for the risks to their communities and identify the best ways to mitigate that risk.
The QCoast2100 program is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements as part of more than $152 million Efficiencies Funding Program 2023-24, supporting priority disaster resilience and mitigation projects across Queensland.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister said the QCoast2100 program represents a vital investment in enhancing the resilience of Queensland's coastal communities against the growing threat of climate change.
"This funding will empower local councils to implement innovative strategies and infrastructure projects that protect both residents and the environment from coastal hazards," Minister McAllister said.
"I commend the collaboration between the Australian and Queensland governments, which underscores our commitment to disaster resilience and ensuring safer futures for communities along the coast.
"By supporting First Nations councils in their planning efforts, we are acknowledging the unique challenges they face and ensuring their voices are heard."
Minister for the Environment and Tourism, and Minister for Science and Innovation Andrew Powell said funding from the QCoast2100 program would provide coastal councils with the opportunity to protect their communities.
"Councils will use this funding to ensure there are greater protections in which to help avoid any future disasters," Minister Powell said.
"Our coastal communities face a considerable threat from storm tide inundation and coastal erosion, especially from cyclones, and this threat is expected to increase over time with sea level rises.
"The QCoast2100 program has been incredibly successful in helping coastal communities to plan for and adapt to the risk from coastal hazards now and into the future through the funding of long-term coastal hazard mitigation strategies and vital on-ground works, and we want to see this work continue."
Local Government Association of Qld Chief Executive Officer Alison Smith welcomed the continuing joint investment in the program.
"QCoast is a program that has been running since 2016 and is helping councils with coastal communities to get on the front foot with adaptation planning and mitigation for existing and future coastal hazards," she said.
"QCoast2100 funding is vital to help ensure coastal communities are getting the protection they need, with support and funding for councils to deliver on-ground works."
QCoast2100 is delivered in partnership with the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, the Local Government Association of Queensland, and the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.
