The Queensland State Government has unveiled an $8.4 million spending package for Natural Resource Management (NRM) groups and local councils across the state to assist in the recovery of flood damaged waterways.

 

Federal Minister for Queensland Floods Recovery, Senator Joe Ludwig, said the rebuilding of natural environments was an important stage of the recovery process for Queensland.

 

“Queensland’s natural environment sustained considerable damage during the floods and Cyclone Yasi,” Minister Ludwig said.

 

“This repair work will mean that waterways, catchment areas and their surroundings are prepared for future challenges.”

 

The State Government said the funding would allow NRM groups to undertake a range of recovery projects.

 

The funding will be administered by the Department of Environment and Resource Management on behalf of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.

 

It builds on the funding previously provided from the Federal Government’s Caring for our Country program.

 

The funding will include:

 

  • $2 million to help North Queensland communities repair infrastructure and restoration works in Wet Tropics waterways and North Queensland coastal areas
  • $2.7 million for work in Murray Darling catchments including soil conservation, repairing and river fencing, feral animal and weed control as well as funds to clean up irrigation tape which was threatening stock and wildlife in the Dumaresq River.
  • $2.17 million for South East Queensland Catchments to carry out restoration in the Lockyer Valley, Bremer and Upper Brisbane catchments, purchase specialised equipment for flood damage assessment and support the Tenthill Creek and Mount Sylvia restoration project.
  • $500,000 to the Fitzroy Basin Association to assist with activities such as fencing and weed control.
  • $200,000 to the Burnett Mary Regional Group to carry out bank stabilisation works and weed control in affected riparian areas.
  • $825,000 for other priority works across the State in preparation for the fast approaching wet season.