Bushfire-affected communities in Queensland are to benefit from $1.8 million in funding for 37 projects to aid their recovery and boost their resilience in future disasters.
The flexible funding grants are jointly funded by the Federal and Queensland Governments under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, David Littleproud said the Queensland and Australian Governments were committed to the long-term recovery of Queensland communities hit hard by the bushfires.
Minister for Communities, Coralee O’Rourke said the range and geographic spread of these successful grant recipients reflected the widespread destruction of the bushfires last year.
“The projects receiving funding will assist communities with bushfire season preparations, community preparedness, and equipment to assist with disaster mitigation, community events and upgrades to community infrastructure,” Mrs O’Rourke said.
“These grants are particularly important as many of the affected communities have also taken a hit from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
She said the events had placed the communities under economic and social hardship.
“The flexible funding grants are open to 23 Local Government areas affected by the bushfires,” Mrs O’Rourke said.
She said they included $68,848 to Baffle Creek Community to undertake improvements to the Baffle Creek Community Centre; $99,000 to Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers for recovery and resilience in the horticulture industry pilot project; and $80,848 to Mount Larcom and District Show Society for a community disaster recovery hub and animal refuge.
She said Council-run projects included $63,800 for Livingstone Shire Council to build community resilience at The Caves and $42,750 to Toowoomba Regional Council for fire trails at Crows Nest and Millmerran West.
