Grants target environmental recovery in north and Far North Queensland
Around $2 million will be invested in targeted environmental recovery across north and Far North Queensland to help repair long-term damage from the 2025 floods.
Clean Up and Local Conservation Grants up to $100,000 from the Australian and Queensland Governments will fund 30 restoration projects in 12 local government areas across the region.
The North and Far North Tropical Low of summer 2025 devastated local communities, bringing record-breaking rains and flooding from Mackay to the Cape and west to Gulf Country, with Townsville, Hinchinbrook and Cassowary Coast particularly affected.
While Queensland's northern reaches are among the most spectacular and biologically diverse parts of the world, the region is also extremely vulnerable to severe weather, and faces significant challenges in recovery.
To help restore nature and habitat, and to build resilience against future severe weather, projects will focus on debris removal, riverbank stabilisation, invasive species management, and native tree planting.
Significant work will also go towards the recovery of coastal environments in places like Cape York, Mission Beach, Townsville and Magnetic Island, and the Whitsundays.
The Clean Up and Local Conservation Grants are funded through the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
The $2 million allocation forms part of a more than $75 million investment in environmental recovery for north and Far North Queensland following last year's flood event, with extensive work planned for catchment and coastline rehabilitation, national park recovery, and cultural asset support.
Successful projects funded by the grants were selected by the state's Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation.