City-wide disaster resilience project a go
12 April 2021
A city-wide disaster resilience and preparedness project led by Ipswich City Council has been given the green light after it received a $260,000 funding boost.
The project was one of the 21 projects to receive funding in the final round of the $36.8 million Local Economic Recovery Program, jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments.
Local Disaster Management Group chair Mayor Teresa Harding welcomed the contributions from council’s state and federal counterparts.
“Practical plans help to minimise the hardship for residents and businesses when natural disasters strike,” Mayor Harding said.
“I would like to thank the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments for collaborating with council on our city-wide disaster resilience and preparedness project.
“It is our priority to build the community’s capability in resilience, disaster planning at home and identifying and minimising local risks.”
The recent funding boost will support the engagement of a project officer, delivery of workshops and development of materials to assist recovery and improve resilience against future disasters.
The project will also include the formation of a community resilience working group and a marketing campaign.
The project is expected to start in July 2021.
It comes after two other council projects received funding through previous rounds of the Local Economic Recovery Program.
These projects will see upgrades to the trailheads at Hardings Paddock and a new small business recovery hub and meeting space built within Fire Station 101.
Local Disaster Management Group deputy chair Councillor Kate Kunzelmann said Ipswich City Council has now received more than $880,000 in funding support through the Local Economic Recovery Program.
“The Ipswich community, and in particular our tourism and small business sectors, have been through a lot since the 2019 bushfires, with their impacts only compounded by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” Cr Kunzelmann said.
“These three council projects, made possible with the State and Federal funding support under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, will ensure our city is prepared for future disasters.”
Media contact: Darrell Giles 0408 997 965