$200m to support FNQ recovery and resilience following ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, flood
Far North Queensland communities hit hard by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper will receive long-term disaster funding from the state and federal government to rebuild infrastructure and fast-track recovery.
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Far North Queensland communities hit hard by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper will receive more than $206m in long-term disaster funding from the state and federal government to rebuild infrastructure and fast track recovery.
Within the package, $130m will go towards works to make communities impacted by the wettest cyclone in Australian history more resilient and more than $60m to repair water and sewerage services in the region.
Also included in the package is a nearly $14m targeted assistance package for Wujal Wujal, a remote Indigenous community located around 70km south of Cooktown.
Speaking ahead of the one year anniversary of last December’s devastating cyclone and flooding event, Premier David Crisafulli said it was vital to ensure that communities were better prepared for future natural disasters.
“Last summer we stood shoulder-to-shoulder with these communities in the aftermath of Jasper and we have stood beside them since,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“Twelve months on and these communities still bear the scars.
“Today we stand ready to do what’s required to build resilience for the future.
“We can’t stop natural disasters, but we can stop some damage before it happens with resilience, and get communities back to full strength, faster.”
Damage to roads, including the Captain Cook Hwy, had crippled businesses for several months and left entire communities isolated, Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister said.
“The impact of Tropical Cyclone Jasper has been enduring for Far North communities,” Ms McAllister said.
“TC Jasper impacted over 6000km of roads in Far-North Queensland.
“Today’s $206m package will support recovery and rebuilding to make communities more resilient for years to come.”
The latest assistance package builds on the immediate support provided to communities, which included more than $64.4m in personal hardship grants paid to approximately 274,808 cyclone and flood-affected Queenslanders.
“As a Queenslander, I know how important it is to rebuild, recover and improve resilience after storms, floods or cyclones,” Treasurer Jim Chalmers said.
“Tropical Cyclone Jasper hit the Far North hard and this significant investment is about providing more help to those communities as they continue to build back stronger.
“Australians are always there for each other in tough times.”
An additional $3m for Queenslanders seeking legal assistance and monitoring of recovery work will support those most in need, Local Government Minister Ann Leahy said.
“The Legal Assistance Package will fund community legal services … including support navigating insurance claims and disputes, housing and tenancy, eligibility for disaster relief grants, social security and domestic and family violence,” Ms Leahy said.
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Originally published as $200m to support FNQ recovery and resilience following ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, flood
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