New fund to help protect Queenslanders from disasters

The Premier has announced the first round of a new $38 million fund to better protect Queensland communities from natural disasters was now open.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced in Parliament today that local governments, state agencies and non-government organisations could now apply for a share of the $38 million Queensland Disaster Resilience Fund.

“Queensland is the most disaster-impacted state in Australia,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Since 2011, the state has faced more than 60 natural disasters, causing more than $14.5 billion in damage to public infrastructure while disrupting homes, schools and businesses.

“This disaster season alone has shown we can be fighting catastrophic bushfires and dealing with unprecedented flooding and the possibility of a tropical cyclone in a matter of weeks.

“We all know that in Queensland, it’s a matter of “when” not “if” a disaster will strike.

“That is why my Government is committed to making sure we are as ready as we can be for those disasters and this funding is another crucial step in making this happen.”

The $38 million Queensland Disaster Resilience Fund will be delivered over four years with $9.5 million available in this first round of funding.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the Queensland Disaster Resilience Fund provided an opportunity for government and non-government organisations to better protect their communities against future disasters.

“The Queensland Disaster Resilience Fund will support opportunities identified by applicants that build community resilience to disasters including flooding, cyclones and bushfires,” he said.

“That includes infrastructure projects as well as other initiatives, such as regional resilience plans and public education programs.

“These initiatives have the potential to save lives and also time and money spent on disaster reconstruction and recovery at all levels of government,” he said.

Eligible applicants to the fund include local government bodies, Queensland Government departments and agencies, as well as incorporated non-government organisations and Queensland-based not-for-profit organisations. Successful projects will align to the key objectives of the Queensland Strategy for Disaster Resilience.

The Queensland Disaster Resilience Fund will be administered by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority. Project funding will be capped to $2 million dollars to ensure a broader range and larger number of projects can be funded.

Applications for the Queensland Disaster Resilience Fund close on 18 April 2019.

To apply go to the QRA website.

ENDS

Media contact:

Zoe Russell (Premier’s office) – 0439 982 347

Ben Doyle (Minister Dick’s office) – 0400 775 561