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Tourism operators in Far North Queensland can now apply for a share in $10 million to help enhance their business infrastructure resilience, improving their ability to be better prepared for future cyclones and floods.

Business operators can buy plant and equipment such as solar power with battery storage, a pump or water extraction system, hoist systems to raise equipment above known flood levels, safety upgrades or develop early warning systems.

The $10 million Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure program allows operators who were severely impacted by Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December to build back better with flood-resilient infrastructure.

Applications for grants, up to $250,000 per project, are available to 19th April 2024, with the projects to be completed by 30th November 2025.

Tourism operators must be located in the Cairns, Douglas, Tablelands, Cassowary Coast, Hope Vale, Wujal Wujal, Cook, Mareeba and Yarrabah Council areas.

The program is jointly funded by the Federal and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Queensland Tourism Minister Michael Healy notes "we're helping Tropical North tourism businesses recover, but we also want them to start thinking about how to be better prepared next time around.

"It was important for us to make these funds available quickly so tourism operators could plan their longer-term infrastructure upgrades while recovering from the recent cyclone and flooding.

"This is all about developing a more sustainable and resilient tourism industry, so we can keep tourism businesses going when the next natural disaster arrives.

The package is part of the $24.15 million Tourism Recovery and Resilience Program and supplements an initial $5 million Tourism Recovery package announced in December that included hardship assistance, discounted flights and accommodation.

A dedicated Tourism Recovery Officer has also been recruited by Tourism Tropical North Queensland to provide support to affected operators.

Find out more and apply  

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