News
Gilbert River Bridge failure again highlights urgent infrastructure gap
Local leaders from across North West and Far North Queensland say repeated flooding and ongoing safety risks at a key, cross-regional link – the Gilbert River Bridge - highlight the urgent need for a firm funding commitment from state and federal governments to deliver a fit-for-purpose replacement crossing.
North West Queenslanders call on government to urgently cut disaster red tape
As North West Queensland enters a second week of devastating flooding, local leaders are calling on the Australian and Queensland governments to urgently reduce bureaucracy and improve access to disaster funding for primary producers and local businesses.
With more rain and a potential cyclone forecast, councils, communities, business and primary producers remain focused on response and early recovery, while raising concerns about the complexity and delays associated with accessing disaster assistance.
North West Qld councils call out critical flood warning shortfalls as communities brace for more rain
The North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC) has called out the inadequacy and unreliability of flood warning data that continues to risk lives and livelihoods, as flooding continues and communities prepare for further severe weather.
$38 million in disaster support for north-west Queensland
The Albanese and Crisafulli Governments have today committed an additional $38 million towards large-scale disaster recovery efforts for flood affected communities across north-west Queensland.
Targeted investments will be made across programs and projects that will assist the recovery of flood affected farmers and communities.
Additional flood support activated
The Albanese and Crisafulli Governments have extended financial support to additional Queensland councils and impacted primary producers following extensive flooding over the Christmas period.
Primary producers in Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Croydon, Flinders, McKinlay and Richmond shire LGAs can also now access low interest Disaster Assistance Loans of up to $250,000 to repair or replace damaged buildings, plant and equipment or livestock. Essential Working Capital loans of up to $100,000 are also available for those that have suffered a significant loss of income.
Emergency fodder support package to help flooded graziers in North Queensland
A $2 million Coordinated Emergency Support Package for North Queensland has been established to help farmers feed isolated and stranded stock following ongoing monsoonal flooding.
Jointly funded by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), the emergency fodder support package will support primary producers in the McKinlay Shire Council to feed stranded livestock.
North West Qld councils responding to widespread flooding across the region
The North West Queensland councils across the region are actively responding to flooding caused by monsoonal rainfall over the past week.
Councils the region have been preparing for the wet season and are now fully engaged in response operations as significant rainfall has resulted in flooding, widespread road closures, regional isolation and impacts to critical infrastructure.
NWQ councils target regional impact with resilience funds
The councils of North West Queensland have welcomed a new approach to building resilience in their communities with Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister confirming delivery of resilience project funding today.
NWQ councils ready to make regional impact with much-needed disaster funding
North West Queensland councils have welcomed the announcement this week by the Australian and Queensland governments to commit an additional $91.8 million to the NQ Recovery and Resilience Package to support disaster recovery and resilience in the State’s disaster-hit north and north-west.
North West Queensland welcomes much-needed flood recovery investment
Local government leaders from across North West Queensland have welcomed priority investment for flood recovery and resilience in the region as part of the State and Federal government’s $119 million funding package announced today.
Increased support for flood-hit NWQ region needed now
Leaders from across North West Queensland are calling on State and Federal governments to step up support for the flood-hit people, business and industry dealing with growing devastation in Queensland’s north west.
North West Flood Warning Network Infrastructure Complete
Residents across North West Queensland will be better-prepared for flooding with Queensland Reconstruction Authority’s Flood Infrastructure Network project, facilitated by NWQROC for NWQ, completing major upgrades to the region's flood warning network.
North West Regional Resilience Strategy update
The North West Regional Resilience Strategy developed by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) is set to be released in early 2022 - delivering a locally-led and regionally-coordinated blueprint to strengthen disaster resilience.
NWQROC on the road to regional solutions
The North Queensland Livestock Industry Recovery Agency (NQLIRA) held a series of stakeholder events across Northern Queensland throughout August and September. The sessions look to inform the development of a strategy for the long-term recovery and resilience of areas affected by the 2019 monsoon trough.
Region-wide response critical to Northern recovery say flood affected Mayors
The collective force of leaders from across flood-hit northern Queensland have made their mark in Canberra as they push for a united regional recovery response.
The delegation including Townsville Enterprise, the Regional Organisation of Councils from North and North West Queensland (NQROC and NWQROC) are joined by peak industry bodies at Parliament House. The two-day meeting schedule (Tuesday 19 February to Wednesday 20 February) with key Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet ministers including Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack MP and opposition leader Bill Shorten MP.
Where we come from, we stick together, and neighbours help one another. That’s why we’re working with Townsville and wider North Queensland - we have a shared challenge and we should look to shared solutions for now and into the future.
Leaders from across Northern Queensland start road to recovery in Canberra
Leaders from North West Queensland are in Canberra this week as part of a united Northern Queensland delegation meeting with our nation’s leaders to continue to push for recovery support following the devastating flooding events across the state’s north.
Burke Shire Mayor, Cr Ernie Camp, Mount Isa City Mayor, Cr Joyce McCulloch, and NWQ Regional Organisation of Councils Executive Officer, Greg Hoffman PSM, will join Townsville Enterprise, North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils and peak industry bodies.
The delegation will take a united message from the North to Parliament House seeking immediate action on the economic rebuild of communities across North Queensland and North West Queensland in the wake of one of the most devastating natural disasters we have seen in recent memory.
NWQ needs a regional deal for the future now more than ever
As North West Queensland faces the road to recovery from its greatest natural disaster, the leaders of the region have made a call to the wider community on their urgent need for a fair regional “Future Deal” from Canberra.
Even as our region counts its losses from devastating flooding, the Federal Government is set to deliver yet another “City Deal”, ramping up its already significant investment in South East Queensland.
Representing the eight regional Mayors and Carpentaria Shire, Mayor Cr Jack Bawden said politicians are yet to commit to the necessary deal for our region and is time for real regional investment beyond the east coast.
Board meeting starts 2019 with a splash
The first NWQROC board meeting of 2019 was hosted in Hughenden, with a three-day agenda scheduled from 30 January to 1 February 2019.
Roads, water and sewerage were top of agenda for Mayors, Deputies, CEOs and other attendees from councils and agencies on day one. The group agreed to form new collaboration on water and sewerage to introduce new technology, save money and share resources.
The Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program 2018-19 to 2021-22 funding and flood damage were on the agenda for day two. Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads regional staff joined the North West Queensland Regional Roads and Transport Group (NWQRRTG) meeting.