Next phase of severe weather recovery receives $127 million joint investment

The Queensland and Australian Governments have announced the next phase of recovery for communities hit hardest by extreme weather events during the 2023-24 disaster season.

This includes the bushfires experienced across southern Queensland, Tropical Cyclone Jasper in Far North Queensland, and the severe storms that battered south-east Queensland over Christmas.

A range of recovery packages totalling more than $127 million will be jointly funded through the Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

The new support measures will continue progressing community recovery and ensure the state is better prepared for next disaster season and beyond.

Through the packages the government aims to address economic, human and social issues to both stimulate recovery and build greater resilience.

Following comprehensive consultation with councils and communities, the assistance provides further targeted support to deliver more positive outcomes for communities, business, the environment, and Queensland as a whole.

Worth more than $112 million, the latest exceptional circumstances package for ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper and the SEQ storms includes programs to improve community wellbeing, environmental management, small business recovery, and rural landholder support.

Almost $15 million has been allocated from the package to help rebuild and repair sport and recreation facilities such as FNQ's iconic Wangetti Trail.

A $3 million Rural Landholder Recovery Grants Program specific to Far North councils is available to help rural communities with ongoing clean-up efforts.

Mental health support, meanwhile, is front and centre for the state's north and south, with direct funding for Queensland Health to provide individual and family therapeutic care and interventions.

The $12 million southern Queensland bushfires package also includes community wellbeing measures, Rural Landholder Recovery Grants, and funds to employ Agricultural Industry Recovery and Resilience Officers.

These officers will work with industry, local governments and impacted producers to assist with recovery and risk reduction, including helping farmers access relevant recovery grants.

Overall, the combined packages will benefit 22 Queensland local government areas, from the Gold Coast west to Maranoa and Central Highlands, and north to Cook Shire.

A breakdown of each package can be found at www.qra.qld.gov.au/funding-programs/event-specific-exceptional-circumstances-assistance