$269 million boost to north Queensland flood recovery and resilience

Infrastructure, community and mental health care, business, industry, and the environment are the focus areas of new assistance measures to support north Queensland’s full recovery from February’s devastating floods.

Valued at more than $269 million combined, the extraordinary disaster recovery packages will ensure the region with well supported in the months ahead, and grows resilience over the long term.

Central to this major recovery investment is a $205 million Betterment package that will see key transport infrastructure built back to a more resilient standard.

The Betterment Fund will support stronger, smarter upgrades along the Bruce Highway, and to other key state-owned roads and transport assets like Ollera Creek Bridge, a key access point for north Queensland that was destroyed by the floodwaters.

Other initiatives jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) include:

• $26.23 million Small Business and Tourism Recovery that features financial assistance for operators who lost income after being cut off by floodwaters.
• $18.9 million Community Health and Wellbeing Package, offering personal and emotional support to impacted, vulnerable and at-risk residents.
• $9.7 million Mental Health Package, providing individual and family therapeutic care for the management of mental health impacts caused by the floods.
• $7.1 million Primary Production Industry Support to help farmers with recovery and resilience activities, including preparedness planning for future disasters.
• $2.1 million Environmental Recovery, supporting the rejuvenation of north Queensland’s unique ecosystems across land and coastline.

All packages have been developed in close consultation with councils, communities and industry to ensure the support addresses the specific recovery needs of north Queensland.

This latest funding injection for north Queensland's disaster recovery brings total extraordinary disaster assistance provided through the DRFA to more than $427 million.

The Queensland Reconstruction Authority will continue to work with all stakeholders on the delivery of these packages to ensure north Queensland emerges from the floods stronger than before.

More information on these packages and others can be found on the QRA website.

To learn more about Betterment funding in Queensland, an initiative of the state government first established in 2013, visit www.qra.qld.gov.au/betterment.