SEQ beaches restored, communities boosted by cyclone recovery package

Beach and environmental recovery have been prioritised in the latest round of extraordinary recovery packages for south-east Queensland communities devastated by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Assistance package totalling more than $169.2 million will be delivered under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Leading the way is a $74 million Environmental Recovery package to fund sand replenishment work on the region’s showpiece beaches, erosion repairs, environmental clean-up and conservation, and national park recovery.

Community recovery measures in the package target the recovery of community and sport and recreation assets, mental health, small business and primary industries support.

A $27 million Community and Recreational Assets Recovery package will help repair and rebuild damaged community and recreation facilities.

Assistance through a $27.5 million Sport and Recreational Community Facilities Recoverypackage will help fund the reconstruction of impacted sport and rec facilities.

The $2.4 million Small Business Recovery Support package will offer support case workers and financial counselling to help operators recover and build more resilient businesses.

Funding of $11.77 million Community Health and Wellbeing is invested in human and social recovery to mitigate impacts of the disaster, with a focus on the vulnerable.

A $10.5 million Community Relief Fund Uplift will enable further immediate recovery and clean-up activities throughout impacted communities.

$9.19 million is available for Mental Health Recovery allowing people directly impacted by the disaster event to access a range of psychological support services.

Assistance through a $3.087 million Primary Production Industry Support will provide holistic support to primary producers to help them better prepare for severe weather.

Funding of $2.85 million is available for Legal Assistance Recovery for community legal and case management services including support with insurance, housing and finances.

And $1 million in Monitoring and Evaluation funding will ensure funding and assistance packages are achieving the intended recovery and resilience objectives.

The support measures are specifically targeted to the region’s unique needs with particular attention paid to the recovery SEQ’s world famous beaches.

Investment from these packages build on previously announced assistance measures and are designed to drive the region’s full recovery from Alfred. 

More information about these and other assistance packages is available at www.qra.qld.gov.au.