An $8 million Community Relief Fund, jointly funded by the Federal and Queensland governments, has been set up to help councils in Queensland impacted by recent floods to carry out essential and immediate recovery activities.
Funding of up to $1 million per Local Government Area (LGA) is available for Burdekin, Cassowary Coast, Charters Towers, Hinchinbrook, Palm Island, Townsville, Whitsunday and Yarrabah councils.
The package, funded under Category C of the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), will provide timely and immediate support to impacted councils to remove waste and debris, clean-up properties, community facilities, playground and parks, and undertake other make safe activities as required by council to progress with local recovery.
The latest funding follows disaster assistance already provided by both governments in the wake of the floods, including Personal Hardship Assistance payments to eligible residents and counter disaster assistance funding for councils.
Jenny McAllister, Minister for Emergency Management, said this funding will support councils to continue prioritising community safety in the wake of the floods.
“Councils across North Queensland are doing a remarkable job on the frontline, keeping communities safe,” said McAllister.
“The severe rainfall and flooding has had an immense impact on the region with large amount of debris, silt and waste that requires immediate clean-up to protect the health of communities.
“This funding will support impacted communities through this event and into recovery.”
For more information, https://www.qld.gov.au/
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