Emergency Response Fund FWIN Program (2021-22)
About
The $7 million Emergency Response Fund (ERF) Flood Warning Infrastructure Network (FWIN) program is supporting best practice flood warning infrastructure following the February–March 2022 flood events for the 23 eligible local government areas (LGAs) activated under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
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.
Objectives
Through the ERF FWIN Program, the Queensland and Australian Governments are supporting councils to:
- facilitate the development of a network of flood warning infrastructure that complies with best practice
- drive the development and implementation of disaster resilient infrastructure, buildings, and communities
- promote community awareness and resilience
- achieve cost efficiencies with capital and recurrent expenditure through regional collaboration
- foster technology improvements delivering greater awareness for lower costs
- aid in future proofing new assets for emerging technologies
- improve situational awareness through a single point of truth in the context of warnings and disaster messaging.
Eligible activities
Eligible activities are outlined in the funding guidelines and include the delivery of new, and upgrades to existing, infrastructure.
The following asset types are eligible for funding under the project:
- rainfall gauges
- river height gauges
- flood cameras
- electronic signage
- data communication repeaters
- alternative flood warning infrastructure (rain and level gauges).
National Flood Warning Infrastructure Network Program (NFWINP)
Funded infrastructure will be built based on the needs identified by the Bureau of Meteorology through the National Flood Warning Infrastructure Network Program (NFWINP) as well as those identified by individual eligible councils. New high priority rain and river height gauges under the NFWINP will be prioritised for funding under this program, with councils responsible for the supply and installation of any assets within their LGA to ensure the timely installation and upgrade of Bureau standard flood warning gauges in Queensland. The Bureau will take ownership of these assets once installed.
ERF FWIN Approved Funding - Lead Agencies and Approved Values
| Lead agency | Total Approved Value* |
|---|
Department of Transport and Main Roads on behalf of Wide Bay Councils: - Bundaberg Regional Council
- Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council
- Fraser Coast Regional Council
- Gympie Regional Council
- North Burnett Regional Council
- South Burnett Regional Council
| $1,802,500 |
| Balonne Shire Council | $300,000 |
| Brisbane City Council | $235,000 |
| Gladstone Regional Council | $235,000 |
| Gold Coast City Council | $235,000 |
| Goondiwindi Regional Council | $235,000 |
| Ipswich City Council | $300,000 |
| Lockyer Valley Regional Council | $235,000 |
| Logan City Council | $235,000 |
| Moreton Bay Regional Council | $235,000 |
| Noosa Shire Council | $235,000 |
| Redland City Council | $234,000 |
| Scenic Rim Regional Council | $300,000 |
| Somerset Regional Council | $365,000 |
| Sunshine Coast Regional Council | $235,000 |
| Southern Downs Regional Council | $235,000 |
| Toowoomba Regional Council | $300,000 |
| Western Downs Regional Council | $65,000 |
*Total Approved Value includes National Flood Warning Infrastructure Network Program assets, Council FWIN assets, Program Management and Delivery, and Technical Resourcing.
Key dates and delivery milestones
- Applications have closed.
- Applicants notified of funding approval in March 2024.
- Project acquittal reports are due within three months of the end of the financial year in which the project is completed.
- The current ERF funding requires projects to be completed by 30 June 2025.
Supporting documents
(External link to: https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/97891)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who administers funding under the 2021-22 Flood Warning Infrastructure Network (FWIN) program?
The Queensland Reconstruction Authority administers funding under the project.
How much funding will be available under the 2021-22 FWIN program?
The $7 million Flood Warning Infrastructure (FWIN) program was developed as part of the broader $75 million Emergency Response Fund Recovery and Resilience Program 2021-22 (the ERF Program) following the February–March 2022 flood events, and applies to 23 local government areas (LGAs) activated under the Disaster Recovery Finding Arrangements (DRFA).
Who is eligible to apply for this funding?
Funding is available for the twenty-three (23) local government areas (LGAs) activated under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2018 (DRFA) in response to the February–March 2022 flood events, under the South East Queensland Rainfall and Flooding, 22 February 2022 – 5 April 2022 (V14) activation. For updates to the activation listings refer to QRA’s activation website: https://www.qra.qld.gov.au/disaster-funding-activations/activations.
| Balonne Shire Council | Moreton Bay Regional Council |
| Brisbane City Council | Noosa Shire Council |
| Bundaberg Regional Council | North Burnett Regional Council |
| Cherbourg Aboriginal Council | Redland City Council |
| Fraser Coast Regional Council | Scenic Rim Regional Council |
| City of Gold Coast | Somerset Regional Council |
| Goondiwindi Regional Council | South Burnett Regional Council |
| Gladstone Regional Council | Southern Downs Regional Council |
| Gympie Regional Council | Sunshine Coast Regional Council |
| Ipswich City Council | Toowoomba Regional Council |
| Lockyer Valley Regional Council | Western Downs Regional Council |
| Logan City Council | |
What are the key documents for applicants?
Can applicants outside Queensland apply?
No, funding is only available to the 23 eligible councils activated under the February–March 2022 flood events.
What types of projects are eligible under the 2021-22 FWIN program?
Projects are limited to the delivery of new, and upgrades to existing, infrastructure. The following asset types are eligible for funding under the project:
- Rainfall gauges
- River height gauges
- Flood cameras
- Electronic signage
- Data communication repeaters
- Alternative flood warning infrastructure (rainfall and level monitoring for flash flood environments only).
Is the implementation of flood protection or physical mitigation measures eligible under this program?
No. Construction of flood protection or physical mitigation measures are not eligible under this program.
How much funding can each council get?
Councils are invited to apply for up to $235,000.00 in funding. New high priority rain and river height gauges identified by the Bureau of Meteorology through the National Flood Warning Infrastructure Network Program (NFWINP) will be prioritised for funding under the program, with councils responsible for the supply and installation of any assets within their LGA to ensure the timely installation and upgrade of Bureau standard flood warning gauges in Queensland. The Bureau have confirmed they will take ownership of these assets once installed. Such assets will automatically receive funding in addition to the $235,000.00 available for Council requested assets. Councils with National Flood Warning Infrastructure Network Program (NFWINP) assets located within their LGA will have these pre-populated on their application forms.
How will projects be prioritised within the program?
The proposed new rain and river height gauges identified across high priority catchments in the National Flood Warning Infrastructure Network Program (NFWINP) National Disaster Warning Network will be prioritised for funding under the program, with councils responsible for the supply and installation of any assets within their LGA. The QRA will liaise with both the Bureau and eligible councils to facilitate Bureau approval of these locations. Once practical completion has occurred, the Bureau will take full ownership of all National Flood Warning Infrastructure Network Program (NFWINP) National Disaster Warning Network assets delivered under the program.
Additional projects are to be nominated and prioritised by each council as part of their individual applications.
Is GST to be included in the funding amount sought?
No. When claiming reimbursement of expenditure, the amount to be lodged must be the GST exclusive actual cost incurred. Depending on an applicant’s GST status, QRA may gross up the grant amount to include GST.
Do applicants need to make a co-contribution to the costs of the project?
No. There is no fixed or minimum co-contribution.
When do projects need to be completed?
The current ERF funding requires projects to be completed by 30 June 2025.
How often are progress updates required?
Progress reports are required monthly throughout the delivery period until project completion. All reporting requirements are set out in the Project Funding Schedule/Agreement for successful projects.
What happens if a project ends up costing more than the approved amount?
Successful applicants are responsible for any expenditure over the approved amount. However, variations are contemplated in the funding guideline and may be considered on a case by case basis.
What happens if a project ends up costing less than the approved amount?
Unspent funds will be returned to the program and may be reallocated to other projects.
Who decides on the successful projects?
The QRA CEO provides final project approval. QRA may consult with relevant agencies and/or partners for review and/or endorsement of projects.
Will there be another round of funding under this program?
The current round of funding is proposed to be the single round under this program.
What if I need assistance with the delivery of approved projects?
Members of the QRA flood team are available to support applicants limited by capacity or capability, to identify suitable projects for assessment under this program. Please contact floodteam@qra.qld.gov.au if in need of support or have any questions on the program.
