Media Release: 25 June 2020
Communities impacted by flooding in Far North and North Queensland in early 2019 will benefit from more than $9 million in grant funding for 119 local projects to boost flood recovery and resilience.
Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud said the funding was the largest round delivered under the $15.5 million Flexible Funding Grants program jointly funded between the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments.
“From Torres Strait to Townsville, and the Whitsundays to Winton, the 119 projects receiving grants will be delivered by community groups, local councils, non-government and not-for-profit organisations” Mr Littleproud said.
“The Commonwealth and Queensland Governments are working closely together to ensure all impacted communities continue to receive the support they need.
“These grants for local projects will help ensure these communities continue to recover and thrive.”
Minister for Communities Coralee O’Rourke said these community-led projects would help the ongoing and long-term recovery in flood-affected communities and boost their resilience for future disasters.
“We know that recovering from a disaster of the magnitude of last year’s floods can take years, and that’s why funding like this is so important,” she said.
“The Queensland Government is in this for the long haul to help support the longer-term recovery of these communities.”
Projects receiving funding include:
- $120,000 for the Winton Pastoral and Agricultural Show Society to rebuild the cattle yards at the Winton Showgrounds
- $145,000 for the Townsville City Council to purchase five trailer-mounted generators to maintain services in areas that are more susceptible to flooding, tidal inundation or sewer overflows
- $119,000 to the Cairns Regional Council for a satellite trailer to supplement the communication networks and restore connectivity during network outages
- $47,352 for the Townsville Pistol Club to install bitumen and concrete surfaces to the carpark and walkways to reduce the risk of future storm damage.
The Flexible Funding Grants Program is jointly funded under the Commonwealth/State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements – Category C Community Recovery Fund.
