Thirteen bushfire-impacted councils across Queensland are eligible to apply for a share of $36.8 million in joint state and federal recovery funding.
The Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) will administer the $36.8 million Local Economic Recovery Fund being jointly delivered by the Federal and Queensland governments on a 50/50 basis through Category D of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
The councils than can apply for up to $5 million in funding comprise Bundaberg, Gladstone, Gympie, Ipswich, Livingstone, Lockyer Valley, Mareeba, Noosa, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba.
Queensland Treasurer and Minister responsible for the QRA Cameron Dick said: “Battling severe bushfires in 2019, and drought for an extended period before that, these affected regions were hurting long before the current pandemic arrived.
“So whether an eligible council or state agency is looking to build or strengthen infrastructure, deliver local support services, or host community activities and events, I encourage them to submit an expression of interest.”
EOIs for project support can be made up until 7 September.
In other join federal/state government funding news, Victorian councils and community service providers will be eligible for grants of up to $500,000 to support bushfire recovery and preparation.
$7.5 million is being allocated for bushfire grants as part of the $35 million Community Recovery and Resilience Grants Initiative jointly funded by the Victorian and Commonwealth governments.
Initiatives that can be supported include economic development programs, local business skill and capacity-building, a community recovery officer to boost local service delivery, and recovery services for groups such as the elderly or multicultural communities.
Applications for these grants can be made up until 31 December..