New cyclone shelter for Palm Island headlines major disaster-proofing projects
Palm Island will will receive an 800-person cyclone shelter as part of a $51m federal disaster preparedness package across 17 projects.
An 800-person cyclone shelter will be built on Palm Island and a disaster co-ordination centre constructed in Kowanyama as part of Queensland’s $51m share of the latest round of federal disaster-ready grants.
Through the third iteration of the Disaster Ready Fund, the federal government has committed $14.6m of the $17m total cost to build the state’s 13th cyclone shelter on Palm Island, almost two years after the 4000-person community had a tense run-in with ex-tropical cyclone Kirrily.
The shelter will improve disaster preparedness and response actions, reduce disaster risks, improve community resilience during and after disaster events, and make a substantial contribution to safety and wellbeing.
Across 17 projects throughout the state, the federal government’s $51m contribution to mitigation and preparedness has been matched with $37m from the state and other partners.
Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain said this was about safeguarding communities and to help build resilience as natural disasters become more frequent and more intense.
“Australians are no stranger to the floods, bushfires, and cyclones that impact us year-on-year – that’s why the Albanese Government established the Disaster Ready Fund, providing up to $1bn over five years,” Ms McBain said.
“Round three will benefit all 538 local government areas across all states and territories. From cyclone shelters on Palm Island to flood mitigation planning for Launceston.
“Crucially, round three brings our investment to make Australia more resilient through the DRF to $600m – and I’d like to thank many of the project proponents for matching our funding.”
In Kowanyama, a $9m multipurpose disaster co-ordination centre will be built to co-ordinate disaster management and emergency service operations. In times where there are no disasters, the hub will operate as an Indigenous Knowledge Centre, where a range of programs and activities will be run to support the documentation and preservation of Indigenous language and culture.
A new disaster co-ordination centre will be set up at Charleville Airport, a local community hub upgraded to a place of refuge in Mareeba, and a multipurpose emergency evacuation and co-ordination centre facility will be designed in Burke.
The federal government’s $1.1m will be matched to build a temporary flood barrier at the airport, while 3.8km of low-lying road in Gladstone will be improved with a combined $10m injection.
Flood mitigation works will also be funded in Bedourie, Cloncurry and the Lockyer Valley. Grants will flow to the Balonne shire for specialised generators.
The federal government has put $2.8m towards developing a flood forecast and warning system to provide road authorities of advanced notification of when and how road assets and associated infrastructure will be impacted by flooding.
Almost $2m, equally shared between the two governments, will go towards a three-year flood intelligence and warning system program in Townsville.
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Originally published as New cyclone shelter for Palm Island headlines major disaster-proofing projects
