$5m Drought Package Announced

November 15, 2019

Families and communities across Queensland’s 33 fully drought-declared and four partially drought-declared council areas will be supported with a new State Government grant package.

On Friday, Communities Minister Coralee O’Rourke announced $5 million in grant funding to help farmers, families, individuals and communities impacted by the ongoing drought.

“The impact of this prolonged drought has had a flow-on effect in our State’s drought-declared communities, spreading from farms to businesses and households,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“We know that tradies, farming equipment retailers, owners and employees of cafes and local stores in our rural communities are feeling the impacts of the lack of rain.

“That’s why we’re providing this grant funding as a boost to regional, rural and remote communities.

“We want residents in drought-affected areas to spend and invest in their local communities during this trying time.”

Community groups, not-for-profit organisations, local councils and school P&Cs have been encouraged to apply for the grants, which they can use to deliver cash payments, goods or services to individuals, families and households impacted by drought.

“People and organisations already on the ground in these communities know what is needed to support them and lift their spirits, and how individuals and families who are doing it tough can best be assisted,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“Whether it’s through cyclones or floods, or bushfires or drought, the Palaszczuk Government is committed to making sure communities can recover from the impacts of devastating weather events and build their resilience into the future.”

Applications for the grants will opened on Friday (November 15) and will close on December 13.

Funding amounts range from $18,000 to $244,000 based on a rating system that considers the length of the drought and other relevant indicators in each area.