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.
Picture: McKinlay Shire Council - Flooded Flinders Highway
Under this package the North Queensland Resilience Program will see $45 million for projects identified by local councils in the north and north west that will improve disaster preparedness, prevention and mitigation across road and transport networks, community, and the environment.
North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils Chair, Mayor Jack Bawden, said the group had been advocating for this level of financial commitment to deliver on plans to build stronger roads and bridges and protect the region’s communities, business, and environment.
“We’ve had more than our fair share of natural disasters in recent years and now more than ever this funding is crucial. Our councils are ready to get stuck in to projects that will make our communities and businesses safe and resilient so we can take the knocks when mother nature calls as she likes to do up here,” Cr Bawden said.
“This funding gives us the ability to make some real resilience gains and the potential to make bigger things happen.”
Councillor Bawden said the funding would support local and regional projects and priorities that have been identified by local councils to improve disaster resilience.
“Our region will access this package and other funding to deliver on the significant projects that are needed, particularly in the critical areas of roads, transport and communication - to keep our supply lines and communication networks open and our communities safe,” Cr Bawden said.
“Councils now know what funding they’ve got and will look at joint initiatives that are across two or more local government areas.
“Given the magnitude of the issues faced, we’re also keen to work with the federal and state governments to leverage multi-program funded initiatives to give us the capacity to deliver serious transformational initiatives.
“At our Board meeting yesterday, we met with representatives from the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, confirming funding arrangements and details on the development of priorities and program delivery.
“We acknowledge the ongoing work of state and federal agencies in making this disaster support available for our region and look forward to continuing to work together to deliver big things for North West Queenslanders.”
This funding is on top of the package announced last month to help communities following the 2023 monsoonal floods experienced across northern and central Queensland.