The Federal and Queensland governments have established a $20 million fund to increase the natural disaster resilience for Queensland’s infrastructure.
The betterment fund will be available to 47 local government areas in Queensland most impacted in the 2020-21 disaster season.
The fund aims to ensure that communities are more resilient to future disasters, that the costs associated with disasters can be reduced and that highlighted natural hazard risks are addressed.
Council areas activated under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) for Category B Reconstruction of Essential Public Assets (REPA) assistance are eligible for the program.
Queensland Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience Bridget McKenzie said the betterment fund will support affected communities.
“Last season, Queensland communities were hit by 11 natural disaster events, nine of which resulted in damage to essential public assets, including bushfires, hailstorms, cyclones and flooding,” McKenzie said.
“The funding will allow applicable councils and state agencies to improve key assets such as causeways, culverts, roads, bridges and floodways.”
Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Steven Miles said more than 480 projects across Queensland had been approved with a value of more than $240 million since the first betterment fund was established in 2013.
“Over 330 of those projects have been impacted again by a subsequent natural disaster event, and all have remained undamaged or suffered only minor or superficial impacts,” he said.
“More than $250 million in reconstruction costs have been avoided.”
Eligible projects for betterment funding include satisfying the DRFA definition of a public asset, have sustained damage as a direct result of an event, as well as meet the eligibility requirements for DRFA REPA funding.
Eligible local councils and state agencies are requested to apply for betterment funding along with their restoration funding submissions to the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.
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