Queensland’s Flood Risk Management Program (FRMP) is set to receive an additional $18 million, further improving flood resilience across the state.
This funding boost will support initiatives that help deliver a comprehensive approach to flood management, integrating forecasting, infrastructure, community involvement and ongoing evaluation.
This includes:
- $7.8 million for 39 eligible councils to improve resilience across communities to future flooding events, through funding flood studies, risk assessments, management strategies, and intelligence systems, all scoped to the unique local needs of regions and communities
- $4.2 million will be shared among Queensland Government departments for similar projects, such as improvements to the flood forecasting and warning system, evacuation planning and community awareness initiatives
- Queensland’s Department of Resources will also receive a funding boost of an additional $6 million to build on data capture work to better understand potential flood risks of the future, taking this total investment to $12.4 million
The $18 million builds on $31 million announced in 2022 for projects to address medium and long-term flood recovery and resilience needs across the state.
It brings the total value of the FRMP to $49 million. The program was established in response to the significant events of the 2021-22 disaster season including flooding in the south-east and across central, southern and western areas, and ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Jenny McAllister, said that the Federal and State Governments are supporting local governments to take evidence-based approaches to better protect the community and reduce the impacts of the next big flood.
“It’s great to see some of our previous investment going towards some ground-breaking initiatives that will equip councils with crucial data to enhance understanding of flood risk management across the board,” Minister McAllister said.
“We know that our climate is changing, and Australians can expect to experience more intense and more frequent natural disasters, which is why the Federal Government is acting to prepare and protect communities from natural disasters and their impacts.
Queensland Minister for Disaster Recovery, Nikki Boyd, said that State and Federal Governments are doing what matters to support Queensland communities with joint funding for tailored flood studies and risk assessments.
“Since 2011, Queenslanders have experienced more than 80 floods across the state,” Minister Boyd said.
“The Flood Risk Management Program is backing 39 eligible councils in communities susceptible to floods.
“This is a comprehensive and integrated approach to risk, flood intelligence, resilience and recovery because the public safety of Queenslanders is always paramount.”
Image: Silken Photography/shutterstock.com
