Joint media release with Nita Green and the Hon Nikki Boyd MP
- The Albanese and Miles Governments invest almost $850,000 for natural disaster resilience in Cape York-based Cook through the Queensland Resilience and Risk Reduction Fund (QRRF).
- They include a satellite-enabled, whole of community communications trailer, emergency power generation and a Flood Intelligence Dashboard
Three Cape York communities will be better prepared for natural disasters with the five-year National Partnership Agreement on Disaster Risk Reduction supporting almost $850,000 in resilience projects.
Almost $15 million State-wide is being invested by the Albanese and Miles Governments through the Queensland Resilience and Risk Reduction Fund (QRRRF) to build better disaster resilience and get communities back on their feet sooner.
QRRRF projects on Cape York include:
- More than $529,000 for Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council to secure five back-up generators to enhance power resilience and essential services after natural disaster events.
- $206,000 for a solar and satellite-enabled communications trailer with internet and iPad access and UHF CB radio connectivity at Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council.
- More than $113,000 to deliver a real-time, Flood Intelligence Dashboard warning system at Mareeba Shire Council measuring rainfall and river gauges.
Cape York communities will benefit from Queensland-wide initiatives like more than $306,000 to reduce hazard exposure and vulnerability among First Nations Elders and seniors, and $650,000 in resilience training for Indigenous councils and tourism operators.
The QRRRF is also supporting $1 million for Central Queensland University to design mobile, green energy hubs to back-up electricity supply in remote, regional and urban areas after natural disasters.
Quotes Attributable to Queensland Senator Nita Green:
"It's great to see the North benefiting from proactive work to better prepare the region for future disasters.
"We know the region often bears the brunt of severe weather, and projects like this will help to keep communities safer and help them bounce back faster in the future."
Quotes Attributable to Member for Cook Cynthia Lui:
"This program is backing local initiatives that ensure Far North Queenslanders are prepared and able to get back on their feet sooner after natural disaster events.
"The QRRRF's investment builds the resilience we need now, while backing great ideas like mobile green energy hubs that could have many uses in remote communities.
"Resilience training for First Nations tourism operators is just as important as we grow our visitor economy to welcome the world ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games."
Attributable to Federal Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt:
"It's clear that the more we do to prepare for disasters beforehand, the better off communities will be.
"The National Partnership Agreement delivers proactive investment from both State and Federal governments.
"These grants are informed by local priorities, to address risks that local organisations have identified and create solutions to help them better prepare.
"This funding will support a range of disaster mitigation initiatives, disaster preparedness assets, technology innovations and resilient infrastructure right across Queensland."
Attributable to Queensland Disaster Recovery Minister Nikki Boyd:
"We know resilient Queensland communities are stronger communities and are more likely to recover faster after natural disasters.
"Through the Queensland Resilience and Risk Reduction Fund, the Albanese and Miles Labor Governments are backing councils and not-for-profits to invest in the infrastructure, technology and planning that keeps Queenslanders safe.
"We're putting almost $15 million into initiatives from flood mapping to mobile energy and communication hubs to ensure communities are better prepared than ever for extreme weather.
"Queensland is more susceptible to natural disasters than anywhere else in Australia, but these smaller resilience projects will make a big difference right around the State."
Details on the latest round of QRRRF project funding is at: www.qra.qld.gov.au/qrrrf
Over the last five years, the QRRRF has invested more than $76 million in 252 resilience building initiatives in urban and remote areas of Queensland.
