January 25, 2020
A $14 million Phase 2 Community Recovery Package has been announced to help communities in the local government areas hit by the Southern Queensland Bushfires (Sept 6-12) and the Eastern Queensland Bushfires (Nov 8-Dec 19).
The joint Federal and State Governments will support the mental health and resilience of communities impacted by the fires.
The announcement on Friday follows calls by Somerset Regional Council for more support for its community.
“This latest extraordinary assistance funding will provide urgent support to address community needs including mental health and wellbeing,” Natural Disaster Minister David Littleproud said.
“Queensland communities were severely affected by catastrophic bushfires between September and December last year, having a devastating impact on homes, businesses and the environment.
“The physical damage of the bushfires has taken a heavy emotional toll on individuals, families and the wider community, and we need to ensure the mental health needs of our people are supported.
“This Phase 2 package includes $4.7 million to address the risk to the mental health and wellbeing of communities doing it tough and $3 million to employ Community Development Officers.
“In addition, $6 million has been allocated for a flexible grants program for non-government organisations, communities groups and local governments to support locally-led recovery and resilience building activities.”
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Community Development Officers would work across the local government areas of Livingstone, Lockyer Valley, Noosa, Scenic Rim, Somerset and Southern Downs to address recovery needs and develop community-led action plans.
- Related article: Don’t Forget About Somerset
