Emergency Response Fund

About the Emergency Response Fund (ERF) $75 million Queensland flood recovery and resilience package

On 9 June 2023, the Australian Government announced the successful projects funded through the Emergency Response Fund’s (ERF) $75 million Queensland flood recovery and resilience package. Seven projects have been approved in Queensland to assist recovery and post-disaster initiatives in communities significantly impacted by the South East Queensland Rainfall and Flooding, 22 February to 5 April 2022 event.

Funding acknowledgement

This funding is part of the Australian Government's Emergency Response Fund (ERF) commitment of $150 million for the Queensland and New South Wales flood recovery and resilience package in 2021-22. Queensland and New South Wales each received $75 million through this package.

Administration

In Queensland, the ERF is administered by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA).

The National Emergency Management Australia (NEMA) webpage for the funding package is published at:

Successful Queensland projects

Project delivery agentProject nameERF funding 
Department of Energy and Public Works Bundaberg East Levee $57,350,000
Gympie Regional CouncilSouthside Transport Flood Detour Route Upgrade $986,047
Scenic Rim Regional CouncilPrice Creek Bridge$3,133,055
Southern Downs Regional CouncilEasey Street Drain$1,141,104
Toowoomba Regional CouncilPerth Street (Lake Annand) culverts$3,351,322
QRA (various councils) Flood Warning Infrastructure Network 2.0$7,000,000
QRA (various councils)Recovery grants for 23 flood-affected councils $1,000,000

Status and next steps

Prior to work being able to commence on the successful projects, QRA will work with relevant councils to establish and execute Project Funding Schedules between QRA and the funding recipients. 

The Department of Energy and Public Works (DEPW) is the delivery agent of the Bundaberg East Levee project and will administer funding for this project.

Background

In March 2022, in response to large-scale floods in Queensland and New South Wales, the Commonwealth announced an additional $150 million from the Emergency Response Fund (ERF) for recovery and post-disaster resilience initiatives that support flood-affected communities in these states. Queensland and New South Wales were each allocated a grant of $75 million to spend on projects where funding was most needed in the impacted areas.

The $75 million for Queensland under this program is to assist recovery and post-disaster initiatives in the 23 local government areas (LGAs) significantly impacted by the South East Queensland Rainfall and Flooding, 22 February to 5 April 2022 event (eligible event).

The Disaster Ready Fund replaces the ERF, which terminates on 30 June 2023.

Contact

For queries, please contact your QRA Regional Liaison Officer or email grants@qra.qld.gov.au

Media statement