Flood-impacted councils across Queensland will share in a total of $18.25 million to improve flood resilience through flood studies, risk assessments and other special projects.
A total of 36 councils, including the Gympie Regional Council, will receive funding for 127 projects through the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) in response to the 2021-22 disaster season.
This funding will allow councils to invest in flood studies, flood risk management plans, and flood warning intelligence systems, so they’re better prepared for the threat of natural disaster.
Gympie was impacted by the following weather events have received grants for events following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth (29 Dec 2021 – 10 Jan 2022), South East Queensland Rainfall and Flooding (22 Feb – 5 Apr 2022) and Southern Queensland Flooding (6 May – 20 May 2022).
The flood resilience package is one of three made available through the $31 million Flood Risk Management Program, which is being administered by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.
Other packages under the program include support for community engagement and education around disaster preparedness; and for remote sensing technology to create 3D maps and models of environments, to better understand potential risks.
The Flood Risk Management Program is part of the greater $721 million extraordinary disaster assistance package delivered jointly by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments through the DRFA following the 2021-22 season to address the medium and long-term recovery and resilience needs of Queensland communities.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said, “Disaster support doesn’t just end when the floods recede, and this funding shows the Albanese and Palaszczuk Governments are committed to long-term assistance which better protects communities into the future.
“This funding enables councils to understand and mitigate flood risk through flood studies, risk assessments and management strategies,” Mr Watt said.
“Optimising an area’s flood resilience requires knowing what will work best based on the available data and modelling, and we are pleased to deliver the tools councils need to make this happen.”
“Even though we’re in the midst of this current disaster season, Queensland communities are still recovering from the impacts felt during 2021-22,” Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Steven Miles said.
“These flood studies, risk assessments and special projects will ensure local councils are better prepared heading forward.
“We want Queensland to continue to lead the country in building resilience through programs like this,” Mr Miles said.
For more information go to www.qra.qld.gov.au.
