$10 million Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure grants for FNQ

Tourism operators in Far North Queensland can apply for a share in $10 million to help businesses be better prepared for the next time a cyclone or floodwaters roll through the region. Find out how.

Tourism operators in Far North Queensland can apply for a share in $10 million to help businesses be better prepared for the next cyclone or flood.

The $10 million Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure program allows operators who were impacted by Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December to build flood-resilient infrastructure.

Federal Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt was pleased to announce additional recovery funding.

“We have listened to local businesses who have been impacted, and I’m pleased to announce another joint funding support package to help Far North Queenslanders impacted by recent devastating events caused by ex-TC Jasper,” Mr Watt said.

“Our thoughts are with the people of the Far North who continue to experience difficult times during the recovery process.

“This support package is about helping local business to recover quickly, but also to be better prepared to withstand future disaster events.”

Prime Minster Anthony Albanese and Queensland Premier Steven Miles in he rainforest on Skyrail Cairns Skyrail Environmental Manager Luke Stahl Wednesday 10th January 2024. The Prime Minister announced a massive financial boost to the Queensland tourist industry in the wake of Cyclone Jasper. Image by Brian Cassey for Newswire

Business operators can buy equipment such as solar power with battery storage, a pump or water extraction system, hoist systems to raise equipment above known flood levels, do safety upgrades or develop early warning systems.

“We’re helping Tropical North Queensland tourism businesses recover, but we also want them to start thinking about how to be better prepared next time around,” Tourism Minister Michael Healy said.

“It was important for us to make these funds available quickly so tourism operators could plan their longer-term infrastructure upgrades while recovering from the recent cyclone and flooding.

Queensland Tourism Minister Michael Healy spoke at the Cairns Chamber of Commerce February business lunch - Tourism Industry Update & Outlook, held at the Pullman International hotel. Picture: Brendan Radke

“This is all about developing a more sustainable and resilient tourism industry, so we

can keep tourism businesses going when the next natural disaster arrives.”

Applications for grants up to $250,000 per project are available from February 19 to April 19 2024, with the projects to be completed by 30 November 2025.

Tourism operators must be located in the Cairns, Douglas, Tablelands, Cassowary Coast, Hope Vale, Wujal Wujal, Cook, Mareeba and Yarrabah council areas.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen said the funding would be welcomed by operators dealing with the lingering impact of the disaster.

“This grant will help tourism operators undertaking improvements to further increase their resilience when faced with extreme weather and build back better to reopen sooner,” he said.

“It is a welcome relief for businesses wanting to reduce the risk of being impacted by events outside their control and will also help businesses who want to be more sustainable.”

Originally published as $10 million Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure grants for FNQ