The Albanese and Crisafulli Governments will provide more than $206 million in long‑term disaster funding to Far North Queensland communities hit hard by ex‑Tropical Cyclone (TC) Jasper as well as $1.75 million to communities impacted by South East Queensland (SEQ) storm events.
This package is all about investing in communities across FNQ and SEQ to rebuild and recover after severe weather events.
We are helping communities to build back quickly and become more resilient and more prepared for future natural disasters.
The more than $200 million support package takes the total exceptional funding provided to Queensland communities impacted by disasters in 2023–24 to more than $455 million.
The long‑term recovery support package delivers resilient infrastructure as well as community and asset resilience upgrades through:
- $130 million Betterment Package to rebuild infrastructure to a more resilient standard for communities impacted by ex‑TC Jasper.
- $61.2 million Water and Sewerage Infrastructure Package for specific LGAs impacted by ex‑TC Jasper.
- $13.9 million Wujal Wujal Targeted Assistance Package.
- $1.5 million for legal assistance disaster‑related package for ex‑TC Jasper and SEQ storms.
- $1.5 million for monitoring and evaluation of recovery initiatives for ex‑TC Jasper and SEQ storms.
This funding is provided through State‑Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Early recovery measures worth more than $229 million have previously been approved under the DRFA for Local Government Areas impacted by ex‑TC Jasper and the SEQ storm events.
This money has helped families, farmers, businesses and councils in both FNQ and SEQ to recover from these severe weather events.
This latest assistance package builds on the immediate support provided to communities impacted by these two events, which included more than $64.4 million in personal hardship grants paid to approximately 274,808 cyclone and flood‑affected Queenslanders.
Quotes attributable to Treasurer, Jim Chalmers MP
“As a Queenslander, I know how important it is to rebuild, recover and improve resilience after storms, floods or cyclones.
“Tropical Cyclone Jasper hit the Far North hard and this significant investment is about providing more help to those communities as they continue to build back stronger.
“Australians are always there for each other in tough times, like through summer storm season, and the Albanese Government is too.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Jenny McAllister
“The impact of Tropical Cyclone Jasper has been enduring for Far North communities. The Albanese Government is committed to supporting the region recover and rebuild.
“TC Jasper impacted over 6,000km of roads in Far‑North Queensland. Today’s $206 million package will support recovery and rebuilding to make communities more resilient for years to come.
“The Albanese and Queensland Governments will continue to support communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Jasper as well as the storm and flood events occurred in South‑East Queensland.
“The Australian Government commends the efforts of the countless community members that have contributed to the recovery of affected areas to date.”
Quotes attributable to Queensland Premier, David Crisafulli MP
“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.
“We can’t stop natural disasters, but we can stop some damage before it happens with resilience, and get communities back to full strength, faster.”
Quotes attributable to Minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, Ann Leahy MP
“Plenty of terrific recovery work has already taken place, but we know there is still much more to be done, and this funding will ensure that happens.
“This recovery package is a significant investment in rebuilding communities to be more resilient in the years ahead.
“The Legal Assistance Package will fund community legal services following these disasters in both FNQ and SEQ, including support navigating insurance claims and disputes, housing and tenancy, eligibility for disaster relief grants, social security and domestic and family violence.”
Further information on DRFA exceptional circumstances assistance can be found at www.qra.qld.gov.au.