Plan outlines priorities and path ahead for disaster impacted communities
Recovery and resilience priorities for Queensland communities impacted during the 2023-24 disaster season have been detailed in the 2023-24 State Recovery and Resilience Plan (SRRP).
In recognition of the extraordinary disaster season, this new SRRP from the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) combines the 13 events of 2023-24 into a single plan that captures the diversity and extent of the disasters experienced.
During the 2023-24 disaster season, record-breaking floods from two cyclones, a large and destructive storm system, and devastating bushfires impacted 23 per cent of Queensland’s population and left a recovery bill currently estimated at more than $2.5 billion.
This extreme weather affected 66 of Queensland’s 77 local government areas, with more than half of the impacted LGAs experiencing two or more events, and nine experiencing three or more.
Developed by QRA in close consultation with federal, state and council authorities, the 2023-24 SRRP reviews disaster recovery response and highlights opportunities for recovery and resilience enhancing programs in the future.
It also details what all levels of government are doing to support recovery efforts across impacted communities, with a focus on locally led initiatives.
The SRRP aims to assist governments and communities in planning ahead for future disasters, and encourages thinking around what can be improved during response and recovery, and how to adjust to dynamic and uncertain circumstances in the years ahead.
It examines local recovery capability, access to psychosocial support services, resupply issues, land use planning, insurance challenges, and the importance of raising community awareness to the constant threat of disasters.
The plan uses the lessons learned from the 2023-24 disaster season to help decision-makers achieve better outcomes when it comes to people, place, the environment, and the economy.
Doing so will ensure stronger, safer, more resilient communities, for all Queenslanders.
The 2023–24 disaster season in numbers:
- 13 events
- 66 of 77 councils impacted
- 23% of Queensland’s population impacted
- 15,740km of state roads closed or restricted
- Approximately 250,000 homes lost power
- 195 properties destroyed, 3,372 properties damaged
- $2.5 billion in economic impact
- $78.7 million in Personal Hardship Assistance, assisting 377,329 people
- 62 Community Recovery Hubs established, helping 38,322 people
- 119,351 calls to the Queensland Community Recovery Hotline
For more stats, information, and to read the full plan visit www.qra.qld.gov.au/SRRP2023-24.
The 13 events of the 2023-24 disaster season included:
- Southern Queensland Bushfires, 8 September - 7 November 2023
- Nome and Julago Bushfire, 16-24 September 2023
- Northern Queensland Bushfires,18 October - 8 December 2023
- Mount Isa Bushfire, 23 October - 1 November 2023
- The Pines and Condamine Farms Bushfire ,19 November - 1 December 2023
- Queensland Low Pressure Trough, 20 November - 1 December 2023
- Tropical Cyclone Jasper and Associated Rainfall and Flooding, 13-28 December 2023
- Brisbane and Ipswich Severe Storms, 15-16 December 2023
- South Queensland Severe Storms and Rainfall, 24 December 2023 - 3 January 2024
- South West Queensland Flooding, 6-23 January 2024
- North Queensland Monsoon Trough, 12-22 January 2024
- Tropical Cyclone Kirrily, Associated Rainfall and Flooding, 25 January - 26 February 2024
- Western Queensland Rainfall and Flooding, 22 March - 20 April 2024
Learn more about the events at www.qra.qld.gov.au/disaster-funding-activations/activations.