A jointly funded $7 million Tourism Recovery and Resilience package is backing the State’s tourism industry to build back better, reduce extreme weather disruption and protect our great Queensland lifestyle.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Senator Murray Watt said the assistance would help Queensland tourism operators build disaster resilience after the extraordinary flood and cyclone events of 2021-2022.

Primary producers affected by the February-March flooding event in New South Wales this year can now access additional funding of up to $100,000 thanks to a jointly funded program developed by the Commonwealth and NSW governments.

The $100 million Critical Producer Grant Program will provide primary producers hardest hit by floods with support to restore production systems and rebuild essential infrastructure to a standard that will better withstand future disasters.

Victorians will benefit from nearly $1.8 million in projects to mitigate the risks posed by storms, heatwaves and other climate change hazards.

The Commonwealth Government has funded five innovative projects in partnership with the Victorian Government that aim to lessen the effect of catastrophic natural events in Victoria.

The successful projects are:

Primary producers and businesses impacted by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth and the Central, Southern and Western Queensland floods will have more time to apply for the Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants program, with the deadline now extended.

Applications for support following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth will remain open until 3 February 2023, and for the Central, Southern and Western Queensland Rainfall and Flooding event until 5 December 2022.

Jointly funded Commonwealth-State disaster assistance has been extended to another five local government areas (LGAs) following the June-July flood event.

The latest five LGAs to be included are Bogan, Brewarrina, Dubbo, Parkes and Parramatta.

This brings the total number of LGAs receiving assistance under the jointly funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to 49.

Close to $30 million will be invested by the Australian and Queensland governments to help environmental recovery in areas across the state impacted by recent floods.

Environment and natural resource management groups will be able to apply for the lion’s share of funding, with nearly $23 million on the table for locally-led riverine recovery projects.

Some of the Northern Rivers’ largest employers will get a leg up through funding from the Commonwealth and NSW Governments’ Anchor Business Support Grant Program.

The funding will support nearly 1400 local full-time jobs in the Northern Rivers region.

The $59.3 million program is funded by a $44.3 million commitment from the Commonwealth Government, with $15 million co-funding from the NSW Government. 

Flood-impacted commercial landlords in the Northern Rivers will soon be able to apply for support to get businesses back up and running, thanks to a $30 million investment from the Australian and NSW governments.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said the $30 million Northern Rivers Commercial Property – Return to Business Support Grant will assist property owners who lease to small and medium businesses in the Northern Rivers.

Australia’s preparedness, response and recovery from natural disasters will be strengthened following the establishment of the new National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on 1 September.

NEMA brings together the capabilities of Emergency Management Australia and the National Recovery and Resilience Agency into a single agency for the first time. 

This change will deliver a more coordinated approach from the Australian Government, around response to emergencies and preparing for future hazards.