Queensland councils will share in $88 million in joint Commonwealth–State funding to deliver critical infrastructure upgrades.
A suite of works aimed at reducing isolation and improving emergency access in rural and remote communities has been funded under the new Crucial Access Links Program, managed by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA).
It will support councils to upgrade airstrips, boat ramps, seaports and other key assets that regularly fail during floods, cyclones or extended isolation events. The program is funded through efficiencies identified under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Councils across 15 local government areas successfully secured funding based on priorities set out in their Regional Resilience Strategies and Local Resilience Action Plans. QRA worked closely with councils on the planning phase, with the focus now shifting to delivery.
Among the highest allocations are $18.16 million for the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council to upgrade the Northern Peninsula Airport runway, $13.1 million to Richmond Shire Council for airstrip upgrades, and $11.6 million to Quilpie Shire Council for airport improvements. The Douglas Shire Council will receive $8.5 million to upgrade the Daintree Ferry landing.
In Hope Vale, two separate projects will receive more than $10 million combined for flood immunity upgrades to the Everlina Bridge and Hope Vale Airstrip. Kowanyama, Mapoon, Lockhart River and Boigu Island are also among the remote Aboriginal Shire Councils receiving infrastructure support.
Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said, “These councils have identified the lessons from challenges that isolation can pose, and we know that strengthening these access points will make it easier for authorities to deliver essential supplies when they’re needed most.”
Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy reinforced the importance of ensuring regional communities are not cut off.
“Some of our most remote communities can be isolated for weeks following an extreme weather event,” she said.
“This $88 million investment in Queensland’s rural and remote areas will help safeguard communities and keep them connected in a disaster or period of isolation.”
The QRA will continue to work with each council to ensure efficient project delivery that supports long-term resilience across regional Queensland.
