Burdekin/Haughton flood strategy to be guided by LG

Eight local governments have helped develop a strategy to improve flood resilience in Queensland’s Burdekin and Haughton catchments.

The strategy was developed in conjunction with the
Queensland Reconstruction Authority and funded through the joint
Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) $242 million
Category C and D package for the 2019 North and Far North Queensland Monsoon
Trough.

The Burdekin and Haughton catchments are home to about 110,000
people, from Alpha in the south up to the Atherton Tablelands in the north.

Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin said the
strategy presented a shared vision of flood resilience for the region.

“The strategy is our guide to how locally-led and regionally coordinated resilience solutions will help address recent and emerging disaster risks and provide pathways for improving resilience over time,” Cr McLaughlin said.

The eight project partner councils (Barcaldine Regional Council, Burdekin Shire Council, Charters Towers Regional Council, Isaac Regional Council, Mackay Regional Council, Tablelands Regional Council, Townsville City Council, and Whitsunday Regional Council) will oversee the strategy’s implementation.

In related news, the federal government is providing $12
million for locally identified projects to help the 14 Local Government Areas
most affected by the 2019 North Queensland Monsoon Trough.

This funding is part of the $20 million Recovery and
Resilience Grants program and will support 58 locally-led initiatives to build facilities,
ensure water supply, enhance tourism opportunities, and create jobs.

The grants will be administered by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA).