Support for bushfire affected communities

A recovery package to support the mental health and resilience of communities has been made available to those impacted by the Southern and Eastern Queensland Bushfires last year.

The Community Recovery Package will be provided through the jointly funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

The package includes $4.7 million to to provide specialist mental health support and emotional wellbeing for individuals, families, volunteers and communities impacted by the bushfire events and $3 million to employ Community Development Officers.

The Community Development Officers will 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.

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.

The Phase 2 Community Recovery Package will support recovery for communities in the local government areas impacted by the Southern Queensland Bushfires, 6-12 September 2019 and the Eastern Queensland Bushfires, 8 November to 19 December 2019.

More information: statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2020/1/24/14-million-for-queensland-communities-impacted-by-bushfires.