General News
21 December, 2024
$200m-plus for recovery
THE Douglas Shire Council has welcomed the announcement of more than $208 million in long-term disaster funding to Far North Queensland communities hit hard by ex-Tropical Cyclone (TC) Jasper.
The Albanese and Crisafulli governments will provide the funding which was “welcome news for the Douglas Shire on the one-year anniversary of last December’s natural disaster”, said Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon.
She thanked the Queensland and federal governments for their support.
“This is an example of the three levels of government working together for the community,” she said.
The long-term recovery support package delivers resilient infrastructure as well as community and asset resilience upgrades through:
$130m Betterment Package to rebuild infrastructure to a more resilient standard for communities impacted by ex-TC Jasper
$61.2m Water and Sewerage Infrastructure Package for specific LGAs impacted by ex-TC Jasper.
$13.9m Wujal Wujal Targeted Assistance Package
$1.5m for legal assistance disaster-related package for ex-TC Jasper and SEQ storms
$1.5m for monitoring and evaluation of recovery initiatives for ex-TC Jasper and SEQ storms.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister said the impact of Tropical Cyclone Jasper had been enduring for Far North communities.
“The Albanese government is committed to supporting the region recover and rebuild,” she said.
“TC Jasper impacted over 6000km of roads in Far-North Queensland. Today’s $208 million package will support recovery and rebuilding to make communities more resilient for years to come.”
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said “last summer we stood shoulder to shoulder with these communities in the aftermath of Jasper and we have stood beside them since”.
“12-months on and these communities still bear the scars, today we stand ready to do what’s required to build resilience for the future,” he said.
Read More: Mossman
