The Albanese and Miles Governments have announced a fourth round of support to help recovery and resilience for Far North Queensland communities impacted by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
The package, estimated to cost $64 million will be cost-shared 50-50 by the Federal and State Governments. It will support recovery for FNQ’s vital tourism industry, farmers, small businesses and not for profits. It includes:
- $25 million in Extraordinary Recovery Grants for primary producers.
- $25 million in Extraordinary Recovery Grants for small businesses and not-for-profits.
- $9 million in Local Recovery and Resilience Grants for eligible councils.
- $5 million for Tourism Recovery in the region.
A range of previously announced financial and recovery DRFA assistance is also available to affected local governments and communities across the Far North.
These measures include Personal Hardship Assistance payments, Structural Assistance Grants, disaster loans and freight subsidies, and funding to help reconnect essential services and replace household contents.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:
“This $64 million package provides positive news for the Far North following so much heartbreaking devastation,” Prime Minister Albanese said.
“The grants will put money directly into the hands of the employers and providers of the region, while the tourism package is going to help this part of Queensland shine once more.
“Eligible councils can use their Recovery and Resilience Grants, not only to build back from Jasper, but to bring forward works that will strengthen their region against future severe weather.
“Recovery from this event will be a huge undertaking and this support is just the first phase of the assistance that we know will be required. My government is working with Queensland to determine what broader help is needed.”
Queensland Premier Steven Miles said:
“The Queensland Government stands shoulder to shoulder with communities in Far North Queensland,” Premier Miles said.
“This initial extraordinary funding provides significant assistance to Queenslanders at the heart of our economy – farmers, small business owners and tourism operators.
“If we can get our FNQ industries and businesses firing again, that drives recovery for the whole region, safeguarding local jobs and attracting visitors back.
“Through the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, we’ll continue working with councils, state agencies and the Commonwealth to develop further exceptional circumstances DRFA packages that shape and progress recovery.”
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said:
“This funding provides reassurance that we are committed to standing by Queensland communities to help with recovery, as long as it takes.
“This package will help Queensland communities bounce back, and I’m particularly pleased that farmers and primary producers will get support to help their businesses recover.
“We will continue to work with our Queensland state colleagues to provide support during this challenging period.”
Quotes attributable to Minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Nikki Boyd:
“This is just the very early stage of recovery assistance that we are going to provide to Far North Queensland,” Ms Boyd said.
“There will be many challenges ahead, but I am confident that we have the people, the capacity, and the will, to put this important region back on its feet.”
More information on the $64 million extraordinary DRFA package:
Extraordinary Recovery Grants for primary producers – $25 million
- Eligible primary producers who have suffered direct damage from TC Jasper and flooding can apply for grants up to $75,000.
- Grants will assist with short-term recovery needs including pasture rehabilitation, fodder, replacing livestock, and repairs to infrastructure and equipment.
- Grants will be administered by the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA).
Grants are available in the following LGAs: Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Cook, Douglas, , Hinchinbrook, Mareeba, Tablelands.
Extraordinary Recovery Grants for small businesses and not-for-profits – $25 million
- The package will provide eligible small businesses and not-for-profits with support for services and recovery-related projects.
- Small business grants will be administered by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training.
- Not-for-profit grants will be administered by the Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts.
Grants are available in the following LGAs: Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Cook, Douglas, Hope Vale (for small businesses), Mareeba, Tablelands, Wujal Wujal, Yarrabah.
Local Recovery and Resilience Grants – $9 million
- Available to councils significantly impacted by TC Jasper.
- Funding will help address localised economic, social and community recovery needs and support future resilience measures.
- Grants will be administered by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA).
Grants are available to the following LGAs: Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Cook, Douglas, Hope Vale, Mareeba, Tablelands, Wujal Wujal and Yarrabah.
Tourism Recovery – $5 million
- The package includes the Infrastructure and Business Support program that aims to provide immediate hardship assistance to eligible tourism businesses.
- The Visitor Incentive Initiative will provide incentives for visitors to return to impacted regions through discounted flights and accommodation.
- The program will be administered by the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport and Tourism and Events Queensland.
Further information on disaster assistance can be found at www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp or www.disasterassist.gov.au.