Extra TC Marcia funding for Central Queensland

Media Statements

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Communities, Women and Youth, Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Shannon Fentiman

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Five Central Queensland communities will share in $5.1 million for counselling and support for residents affected by Tropical Cyclone Marcia.

Announcing the allocations for the Rockhampton, Gladstone, Livingstone, Banana and North Burnett areas, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that the devastating impact of TC Marcia had affected the communities deeply.
“Such a shocking event causes a huge amount of fear and stress and it takes a lot to recover,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“This funding will allow us to help people through these difficult times.
“Speaking to people on the ground here as part of Community Cabinet has reaffirmed the need for this very important support.”
Commonwealth Minister for Justice Michael Keenan and Queensland Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Jo-Ann Miller announced additional recovery assistance for cyclone affected communities in April following Cyclone Marcia.
Mr Keenan said the Australian and Queensland governments jointly fund the Community Recovery Fund under Category C of the Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
“The Community Recovery Fund is designed to assist severely affected communities with their medium to long-term recovery by providing funding aimed at restoring social networks and building community resilience,” Mr Keenan said.
Mr Keenan said the Australian and Queensland governments would continue to work closely together to ensure disaster affected communities receive the support and assistance they need to recover and build resilience.
$5.1m over two years will be divided between the five local government areas and will be used for employing community development officers and providing counselling and support.
Community development funding will go to Livingstone ($460,380) Banana ($218,426) and North Burnett and Gladstone ($369,402 each).
Close to $2 million will go in personal support and counselling funding for Rockhampton, Livingstone and Gladstone, and a total of more than $1.35 million will go to North Burnett and Banana.
Queensland’s Communities Minister Shannon Fentiman said the cyclone had damaged so much more than bricks and mortar.
“Not only is there the terrifying experience of living through the cyclone, but the devastation of seeing homes lost and your community torn apart,” Ms Fentiman said.
“The community needs time to rebuild emotionally. I hope local residents will come up with projects to build and restore the confidence of the community and bring people together.”
Community development officers will work within each local government area to oversee the development of community-led initiatives for economic and social recovery.
The funding is third element of Category C assistance announced for the region after help was provided for eligible farmers and small business.
The funding will also cover general counselling caseworkers to help identify personal and wider community needs to support medium to long-term community recovery.

If people need counselling services, please phone 1800 543 354.