$250,000 boost to make Mapoon better prepared to face natural disasters

The Mapoon community is better prepared to face the next natural disaster with a new base to manage the community’s response thanks to $250,000 in funding from the Palaszczuk Government.
 
Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe is in Mapoon to inspect the recently completed Natural Disaster Management Facility, and to announce the funding to design an addition for staff accommodation. 

“It is great to see the Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council planning ahead to be prepared and safe when the next cyclone strikes,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“And they have a willing partner in the Palaszczuk Government, which is pleased to be contributing $250,000 for this new staff accommodation.”

Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said:
 
“This facility will provide a base for disaster management staff and their equipment, ensuring they can properly coordinate the response for the safety of the community.
 
“I applaud Mayor Aileen Ado and the Council also for starting the planning to expand this facility by integrating accommodation for emergency staff.
 
"This is a great example of the Palaszczuk Government partnering with Council to make the local community more resilient.”

Mr Hinchliffe said to date, Mapoon had also received $2.2 million in Works for Queensland funding from the Palaszczuk Government, which the Council says has so far supported or created more than 45 jobs.
 
Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Aileen Addo welcomed the Minister’s visit. 

“This community has felt the devastation of natural disasters and they look to the council for leadership. This facility will be a central place to coordinate our response and keep emergency workers safe when they are most needed,” Mayor Addo said.
 
“We are also please it will also assist the council to set up a Rural Fire Services Unit and an SES group.”
 
Mapoon’s new staff accommodation facility is being funded with $200,000 from the Works for Queensland and Local Government Grants and Subsidies Programs, with the accommodation design funded with $50,000 from the Indigenous Local Government Sustainability Program 2016-18.   

For more information: www.dlgrma.qld.gov.au/lggrants

 Media contact: Martin Philip 0427 919 548