Major investment in north Queensland’s long-term resilience

Having copped their fair share of severe weather in recent years, communities across Queensland's north, Far North and north-west are set to benefit from a new $91.8 million investment in disaster resilience from the Australian Government.

Three new initiatives will support eligible communities and primary producers with resilience activities to better withstand future monsoon events.

This includes the North Queensland Resilience Program (NQRP), which will focus on region-wide solutions to local and unique problems.

At almost $85 million, the NQRP will fund a range of regional preparedness, prevention and mitigation projects, prioritised by north Queensland's most disaster hit councils, that combat natural disaster risk across road and transport networks, community, and the environment.

The $5 million Restocking and On-farm Infrastructure Grants Program will offer co-contribution grants up to $150,000 to primary producers to replace lost livestock and restore or replace lost or damaged on-farm infrastructure.

Producers in the following LGAs are eligible for these grants: Boulia, Burke, Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Doomadgee, Mornington, Mount Isa.

A $2 million On-farm Resilience Study, meanwhile, will identify the feasibility of livestock refuge mounds and other on-farm resilient equipment and infrastructure options.

This study will be developed and administered by Queensland's Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, in consultation with 18 regional councils.

The 2019 monsoon trough in the Far North caused catastrophic damage and loss to communities from Townsville, north to Torres Strait and west to Mount Isa.  It's estimated the social and economic cost of the monsoon was $5.68 billion.

Similarly, the 2022-23 monsoon and flooding in northern and central Queensland saw the loss of residential and business properties, and resulted in 8,500 kilometres of the state-controlled road network either closed or under restricted access for over two months.

These regions are now experiencing their third weather event in five years as rain and flooding continues from ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily.

This funding will go a great way to assist with the long-term needs of some of the most remote communities in Queensland.