Council's disaster project funding application successful
GOVERNMENT GRANTS
Douglas Shire Council will receive a share in more than $1.5 million to help the region become more disaster resilient.
A total of 15 projects will be funded in the region through Round 1 of the four-round $38 million Queensland Disaster Resilience Fund (QDRF) announced yesterday.
The Douglas Shire has been successful in their funding application for automated rain gauges for upper Daintree River and Bloomfield River, Portable flood barriers, Automated flooded road warning signage at Barratt Creek Daintree and portable two-way radio base station.
The announcement made yesterday from the state government complements the disaster mitigation items the Douglas Shire included in their recent budget announcement.
Douglas Shire Council earmarked more than $1 million on projects that increase the Council’s ability to inform residents and allow the region to persevere through extreme weather in their budget.
Council’s disaster mitigation spending includes flood cameras at the Daintree Ferry crossing, portable VMS Signage, gauges at key locations n the region and more.
Douglas Shire Mayor Julia Leu said the projects would allow residents to monitor the situation and make informed decisions.
“We know conditions at the Daintree River are unpredictable and can change very quickly, so this will be a valuable tool for everyone during severe weather events,” she said.
“The Douglas Local Disaster Management Group works hard behind the scenes to keep everyone informed and provide advice during our tropical wet season.
“We are empowering ourselves with more accurate and locally-relevant data.”
Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said Queenslanders from the Far North are no strangers to natural disasters and are regularly impacted by monsoonal flooding and cyclones.
“Severe weather events like Cyclone Trevor have seen Queensland emerge as a nation-leader when it comes to resilience-building measures,” Ms Lui said.
“This funding will enable communities across Far North Queensland to invest in smart solutions before disaster strikes.
“The past six months have featured some of the most destructive weather in Queensland’s history, with 11 disaster events impacting 61 of our 77 councils.
“Increasing disaster resilience in our communities will not only protect our region from damage and reduce future restoration costs, but it will also improve public safety.”
Along with the projects announced for the Douglas Shire region are 11 more disaster mitigation projects in surrounding local government areas.
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