Almost $170 million in extra funding has been promised for restoration efforts in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Both the Queensland and Federal governments have tipped in to provide the $169.297 million recovery program to be delivered under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Federal Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain said the new packages would ensure South-East Queensland’s recovery from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which battered the region in March.
“This investment builds on the substantial assistance provided to South East Queensland communities over the past month,” Minister McBain said.
“This includes more than $126 million in DRFA Personal Hardship Assistance to residents, and $80 million in Disaster Recovery Grants for small businesses, primary producers and not-for-profits.
Queensland Disaster Recovery Minister Ann Leahy said every dollar would directly help South East Queenslanders impacted by the cyclone.
“Queensland Reconstruction Authority regional liaison officers offer a direct line for councils to call for any help with their recovery efforts,” Minister Leahy said.
She said the new funding included:
- $74 million Environmental Recovery for environmental recovery, including beach replenishment, and national park recovery.
- $27 million Community and Recreational Assets Recovery to repair and rebuild damaged community and recreation facilities.
- $27.5 million Sport and Recreational Community Facilities Recovery that will help fund the reconstruction of impacted sport and rec facilities.
- $2.4 million Small Business Recovery Support offering support case workers and financial counselling to help operators recover and build more resilient businesses.
- $11.77 million Community Health and Wellbeing investment in human and social recovery to mitigate impacts of the disaster, with a focus on the vulnerable.
- $10.5 million Community Relief Fund Uplift to enable further immediate recovery and clean-up activities throughout impacted communities.
- $9.19 million Mental Health Recovery allowing people directly impacted by the disaster event to access a range of psychological support services.
- $3.087 million Primary Production Industry Support providing holistic support to primary producers to help them better prepare for severe weather.
- $2.85 million Legal Assistance Recovery funding for community legal and case management services including support with insurance, housing and finances.
- $1 million Monitoring and Evaluation funding to ensure funding and assistance packages are achieving the intended recovery and resilience objectives.
