Flood Funding Grants to boost community-led recovery and resilience projects

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

Senator The Hon Murray Watt, Federal Minister for Emergency Management

The Hon Leeanne Enoch MP, Queensland Minister for Communities and Housing

• $16.7 million Flexible Funding grants second round open on 3 May 2023
• Funding for community-led recovery and resilience projects in flood-affected communities
• First round of Flexible Funding grants delivered more than $2.2 million for 43 recovery and resilience projects

Queensland communities impacted by flood events in 2021-2022 will be able to share in up to $16.7 million funding for community-led recovery and resilience projects, with applications now open under the second round of Flexible Funding grants.

Grants will be open to non-government organisations, research bodies, industry groups and peak bodies, community groups, and Local Governments on 3 May 2023.

Small grants of up to $50,000 and larger grants of up to $100,000 are available for projects in local government areas affected by flooding events in 2021-22.

The grants are jointly funded by the Albanese  and  Palaszczuk Government’s though Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Applications for grant funding will close on 2pm 7 June 2023 .

For more information and to apply, visit: www.chde.qld.gov.au/about/initiatives/category-c-funding.

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management,  Murray Watt:

“The first round of Flexible Funding Grants program provided communities the opportunity to prepare for future severe weather events.

“Over $2.2 million delivered more than 40 aimed to better prepare Queensland communities hit by disasters multiple times, using a broad range of approaches.

“For example, there’s the Older People’s Flood Alliance in Logan, which provides information sessions to help seniors develop disaster readiness, recovery and resilience.

“The grants also helped fund the Merryl Dray memorial shelters overlooking the Brisbane River floodplain in Lowood, in honour of brave SES volunteer Merryl Dray, who sadly lost her life in the February 2022 floods.

“Building on the success of the previous round, this second round offers further opportunities for communities to put forward projects that have local relevance and meaningfully contribute to their recovery, and to helping them prepare for future natural hazards.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland Minister for Communities and Housing Minister Leeanne Enoch:

“As communities impacted by flooding events in 2021 and 2022 continue their long-term recovery, funding programs such as Flexible Funding Grants are important tools to assist their recovery and boost their resilience.

“There have been some fantastic projects funded under the first round of the Flexible Funding Grants, which will do some amazing work in flood-affected communities.

“I encourage eligible organisations, groups and local councils to apply for funding for their recovery and resilience projects.

“Funding programs delivered under Category C funding form part of the government’s actions to create safe and resilient communities through our Communities 2032 strategy.

“Communities 2032 sets out actions that will build resilience in disaster-impacted communities, and help communities unite and thrive in the face of disasters and other adverse events.”

ENDS

Media contacts:

Minister Watt’s office: Tali Eley 0499 770 772

Minister Enoch’s office: Martin Philip 0407 675 008