$19.2 million towards the clean-up and repair of flood damaged north Queensland community assets

Applications are open for a new disaster recovery funding program targeting community recreational assets in 30 flood impacted north and Far North Queensland local government areas.

The $19.2 million Community Recreational Assets Recovery Program will help eligible councils cover the costs of clean-up and repair for rec assets damaged during this year’s summer flood event.

The program will assist communities stretching from Cape York Peninsula, west to Gulf Country LGAs, south along the eastern coastline, and into central Queensland.

Funded by the Queensland and Australian Governments under the  joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), the program will be managed by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA), the state's lead agency for disaster recovery and resilience.

Councils successful through the application process can use their grants for the restoration of flood impacted community recreational assets and facilities.

This includes but is not limited to community centres, clubhouses, walkways, bikeways, parks, playgrounds, picnic spaces, and beach access points.

Councils eligible to apply for assistance include Barcaldine, Blackall-Tambo, Boulia, Burdekin, Cairns, Carpentaria, Cassowary Coast, Charters Towers, Cloncurry, Cook, Croydon, Diamantina, Douglas, Etheridge, Flinders, Hinchinbrook, Hope Vale, Kowanyama, Longreach, McKinlay, Northern Peninsula Area, Palm Island, Pormpuraaw, Richmond, Tablelands, Townsville, Whitsunday, Winton, Wujal Wujal, and Yarrabah.

Applications are open until 11 July 2025, with all projects to be completed by 30 September 2027.

Restoring recreational assets is a proven way to boost recovery and community spirit in affected areas.

These are vital places of connection and joy; locations of lasting memories over generations, and their full restoration is crucial piece of the recovery puzzle.

The Community Recreational Assets Recovery Program is part of more than $430 million in DRFA extraordinary packages being rolled out in response to the North and Far North Tropical Low event of January and February 2025.

Councils needing support with their applications can email QRA via submissions@qra.qld.gov.au or phone (07) 3740 1700.