State streamlines council flood funding

The Newman Government is making 2013 the year of delivery by slashing red tape to give Councils quicker access to money for flood mitigation and resilience projects in their local communities.

Local Government, Community Recovery and Resilience Minister David Crisafulli said flood funding would be streamlined with three separate programs merged into one for the very first time.

“I’ve said all along this must be the year we deliver and nothing makes things happen quicker than cutting red tape and agonising approval processes,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“With councils gearing up to begin the long-term rebuild after January’s floods, we understand the need to keep money flowing to good local projects that aren’t part of the overall flood recovery but will help reduce the heartache next time around.”

The 2013-14 Local Government Floods Response Subsidy will consist of $12.9 million from the Local Government Department, $10 million from the Royalties for the Regions fund and money from the Natural Disaster Resilience Program (NDRP).*

Priority will be given to projects that are supported by a completed flood management study or consider the potential impact on communities downstream.

“It could be that council identifies the need for a retention basin or stormwater diversion channel in a local suburb,” he said.

“Either way, we want to fund projects that show good value for money, are ready to go, and will give lasting benefit to the community.

“From now on Councils will no longer have to waste valuable time and effort preparing separate submissions for flood mitigation funding.

“Instead we will be a one-stop shop for councils to come forward with their applications so we can match worthy mitigation and resilience projects with money from the appropriate source.”

[ENDS] 25 June 2013

Media Contact: Andrew Longmire 0418 216 627

*The State and Federal Governments are currently negotiating the continued NDRP funding for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 financial years.