$8 Million for Recovery and Resilience in North Queensland

Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Minister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Education

The Liberal and Nationals Government is continuing its commitment to North Queensland’s long term flood recovery by funding seven projects to enhance land management across the regions most impacted by the 2019 Monsoon Trough.

As part of the North Queensland Recovery and Resilience Grants (Stream 2), more than $590,000 in funding has been awarded to projects ranging from soil and grass cover initiatives to controlling invasive weeds and remote operation of floodgates.

The successful projects are in the local government areas of Charters Towers, Etheridge, Hinchinbrook, McKinlay and Winton and will benefit from co-contribution grants of between $10,000 and $200,000.

Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said three years after this catastrophic event it remains a priority for the Liberal and Nationals Government to support the region and build resilience.

“This funding is part of the $8 million North Queensland Recovery and Resilience Grants (Stream 2) program that will directly support locally-led initiatives which improve land conditions through increased biodiversity, improved management of natural resources and ultimately increase the sustainability and viability of the region” Minister McKenzie said.

“The project receiving funding will make a real and measureable improvement to the livelihoods of people impacted by the significant 2019 monsoon event.”

Funded projects in Winton include flood mitigation measures to stop run off on applicant’s and neighbouring properties and controlling invasive weeds in waterways.

In Charters Towers and McKinlay money will flow for the division of paddocks to maintain soil and grass cover to minimise invasive weeds, run off and maximise soil health.

The remote operation of Herbert River Floodgates will be funded in Hinchinbrook along with money for trials and demonstrations of new land management practices in to promote soil health and biodiversity in Etheridge

Round two of the North Queensland Recovery and Resilience Grants (Stream 2) is now open. These grants are available to the 14 Local Government areas hardest hit by the 2019 North Queensland floods.

“$7.4 million is available in round two. This opportunity has resulted from extensive consultation with individuals, business owners, local government and the implementation working groups, which were established to support the implementation of the region’s long-term recovery strategy.”

The North Queensland Recovery and Resilience Grants (Stream 2) Scheme-Land Management is funded by the Australian Government and administered by Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority.

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