More than $240,000 distributed to support recovery of communities affected by Cyclone Debbie
Bendigo, 7th September 2018: The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) has announced 20 recipients will share in $247,092 in grants of up to $15,000 to aid the ongoing recovery of communities affected by Cyclone Debbie and subsequent flooding in Queensland and New South Wales.
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While the current focus is on drought, in March 2017 communities across coastal Queensland and northern NSW were severely affected by Cyclone Debbie and the floods that followed – and many are still feeling the effects of the damage it caused.
FRRR's Repair-Restore-Renew program helps communities recover from natural disasters by providing grants that address the community needs that begin to emerge 12-18 months after the disaster event.
Janet Phillips, FRRR Disaster Recovery & Resilience Manager, says that it’s around this time that the focus moves to community recovery, as individual needs have often been met.
“Disasters have a long-lasting impact, and this program gives communities the time to understand what they need most to support their recovery, and then the grants support projects that they prioritise. This helps to ensure that social and physical infrastructure is appropriate, sustainable and will meet the future needs of the community.
“Earlier this year we visited some of the communities impacted by Cyclone Debbie. We met with local leaders that had identified projects that would support long-term recovery and benefit the whole community. So we are pleased to be helping community groups to start this phase of the local rebuilding,” Ms Phillips said.
The complete list of projects funded are below, but some examples include:
- Lismore Helping Hands will receive $14,966 to increase connections and preparedness for disaster through the delivery of community events that focus on raising awareness of flood risk and management.
- Mullum Cares Incorporated will use their $15,000 grant to develop a “Library of Stuff” – increasing access to resources for community and individual recovery through the establishment of a tool library.
- Queensland Fire and Emergency Services – with a little over $5,000 they plan to refurbish the kitchen at their SES Tamborine Mountain Depot, so they are more prepared for future disasters as it is used as an evacuation centre.
- Volunteer Marine Rescue Whitsunday Incorporated – will be using their $15,000 to allow their continued service delivery and access to community meeting space through repairs to their damaged Volunteer Marine Rescue Base building.
These projects will help to increase the resilience and capacity of community groups, and create new opportunities for partnership, enterprise and leadership.
PCYC Bowen branch manager, Sergeant Michelle O’Regan, said that Bowen, in the Whitsundays, was severely impacted by Cyclone Debbie and grants like these are very welcome.
“Our whole community was badly impacted by Cyclone Debbie. Livelihoods were lost; farms, including my own, were destroyed. In the immediate aftermath, I was working 50 to 60 hours a week at PCYC Bowen and then doing a further 20-30 hours a week to re-establish our farm. The focus was on getting the farm up and running as we had no income, then the house which only got redone a few weeks ago.
“Our PCYC team only moved back into our building a couple of months ago. We stopped running PCYC committee meetings as the team all have their own worries to deal with following Cyclone Debbie. We will reconvene when the time is right.”
Sergeant O’Regan goes on to explain it takes time for communities to recover and that all kinds of support is needed.
“Recovery and redevelopment are multi-layered. For example, if we don’t have a working kitchen, we can’t hold community events or run mental health awareness programs. So, there is a catalytic effect from grants like these, and some initial funds can help attract further philanthropy, both monetary and in-kind.
“This is a critical time for communities impacted by Cyclone Debbie and ongoing, outside support – like this program from FRRR - is still needed.”
You can read more about what Sergeant O’Regan has to say about the importance of long-term support for communities impacted by a natural disaster on the FRRR website.
These grants are possible thanks to the generous support of Australia Post, ANZ, Aussie Farmers Foundation, John T Reid Charitable Trusts and many hundreds of individual donors.
|
Applicant |
Project Title and Description |
Location |
Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
|
NEW SOUTH WALES |
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|
Kyogle Community Economic Development Committee |
Kyogle community labyrinth: A special place for healing, celebration and personal reflection Enhance opportunity for reflection and participation in community activities due to creation of a labyrinth constructed from pavers engraved with messages from the community. |
Kyogle |
$6,435 |
|
Lismore Helping Hands |
Lismore Helping Hands Community Recovery Events Increase connections and preparedness for disaster through delivery of community events that focus on increasing awareness of flood risk and management. |
Lismore |
$14,966 |
|
Main Arm Upper P & C Association |
New Playground and native learning garden at Main Arm Upper Primary School Enhance connectedness and wellbeing for families due to access to new play space open to the community at Main Arm Upper Primary School. |
Main Arm |
$13,120 |
|
Mid Richmond Neighbourhood Centre Inc |
Community Support trailer Increase capacity to respond to disasters through fitout of trailer to support meal preparation in emergency situations. |
Evans Head |
$9,000 |
|
Mullum Cares Incorporated |
Mullum Library of Stuff Increase access to resources for community and individual recovery through establishment of a tool library. |
Mullumbimby |
$15,000 |
|
Northern Rivers Community Gateway Inc |
Sleep well, sleep safe Increase support for people sleeping rough through the provision of water proof backpack beds. |
Lismore |
$15,000 |
|
Possums Community Pre School Assn Inc |
Possum's Community Garden Increase capacity for early childhood service due to restoration and upgrade of outdoor area at Preschool damaged by flooding. |
Condong |
$15,000 |
|
RED (Realising Every Dream) Inc |
REDinc. CREATIVE REVIVAL: Reviving Lismore CBD post the 2017 flood Increase community connectedness and reengagement with flood damaged central business district through delivery of cultural activities and events. |
Lismore |
$15,000 |
|
Sanctuary Northern Rivers Inc |
Lismore African Festival Increase connectedness and inclusion for African refugee community in the Lismore region through delivery of African themed Festival of activities. |
Lismore |
$5,778 |
|
QUEENSLAND |
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|
Eimeo Surf Life Saving Club Inc |
Repair chair lift to provide clubhouse access to those with limited mobility Restore access via a chairlift for people with a disability accessing the Eimeo Surf Lifesaving Club community meeting space. |
Eimeo |
$3,068 |
|
Finch Hatton Progress Association Inc |
Finch Hatton Railway Station community restoration Increase community pride and access to meeting space that will support the delivery of activities through renovation of historic Railway Station at Finch Hatton. |
Finch Hatton |
$15,000
|
|
Mackay Surf Life Saving Club Inc |
Helping us to help ourselves- developing expertise in disaster response in aquatic environments Increase support for flood emergency rescue operations through establishment of a volunteer run, fully trained Aquatic Response Team. |
Mackay |
$15,000 |
|
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services |
Kitchen Refurbishment - SES Tamborine Mountain Depot Increase preparedness for future disasters through upgrade of kitchen at SES depot that is used as an evacuation centre during disaster events. |
North Tamborine |
$5,013 |
|
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services |
Clermont SES Emergency Generator Increase preparedness and resilience for the community of Clermont through installation of a generator at the SES base to support communications during disaster events. |
Clermont |
$14,712 |
|
Queensland Police-Citizens Youth Welfare Association – Bowen PCYC |
PCYC Bowen Outdoor Learning Yard Upgrade Enhance outdoor learning facilities for children with special needs at PCYC Bowen through installation of sensory activity stations. |
Bowen |
$15,000 |
|
Sarina Range Community Association Inc |
Sarina Range Emergency UHF Communication Project Improve communication during disaster events for the residents of Sarina Range, through the installation of an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Citizens Band (CB) Radio repeater tower. |
Sarina Range |
$15,000 |
|
The Scout Association of Australia Queensland Branch Inc |
Install Kitchen at Warripari Scout Group Den Inclusive access through upgrade of kitchen at Warripari Scout Hall supporting members with a disability to participate in cooking activities. |
Rockhampton |
$15,000
|
|
Volunteer Marine Rescue Whitsunday Incorporated |
Repair roof and ceiling cyclone damage to VMR Base building, Cannonvale Support for continued service delivery and access to community meeting space through repair to damaged Volunteer Marine Rescue Base building. |
Cannonvale |
$15,000 |
|
Western Suburbs Rugby League Football Club (Mackay) Incorporated |
Purchase Generator to assist in recovery efforts for future natural disasters Enhance safety and security in the Pioneer Valley through purchase of generator to adequately equip local evacuation centre at Western Suburbs Rugby League Clubhouse. |
Walkerston |
$15,000 |
|
Whitsunday Community Services Inc |
Feet First Project 2019 Increase preparation for learning and support for families through delivery of a 2019 return to school shoe voucher program in the Whitsunday region. |
Cannonvale & Airlie Beach |
$10,000 |
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