Region to Benefit from Bushfire Flexible Funding Grants
Mackay Tourism has welcomed the announcement from the Queensland Government regarding the allocation of CQ bushfire flexible funding grants.
A Queensland Government media release reports that seventeen Queensland-based community groups, non-government agencies, industry groups, and local governments will share in in $1,095,000 under the Central Queensland Bushfires Flexible Funding Grants – Round One 2019 program.
Successful recipients of the one-off grants will run events, deliver projects and purchase equipment to promote longer-term disaster recovery and resilience in the wake of the 2018 bushfires.
In the midst of last year’s bushfires was Crediton Hall. Crediton Hall Recreation Club Secretary Mandy Tennent explained what the successful grant application means for the area.
“During last year’s bushfires, a private residence at Crediton acted as a base of operations, storage facility, and a relative safe haven for people from across the Crediton area,” she said.
“Crediton locals gathered there for support and comfort, prepared and shared meals for the firefighters, and shared stories. One local family took refuge at this residence."
Mrs Tennent added, “Crediton Hall Recreation Club would like to see Crediton Hall provide this safe oasis in the future. Historical Crediton Hall has played an important part in the rich history of the Crediton community, and CHRC would like to see it revitalised to continue its important roll.”
Mrs Tennent continued, “Crediton Hall Recreation Club submitted the grant application to develop a schematic design for a revitalised hall facility. The $40,000 in funding will vastly improve the 76-year-old Crediton Hall and provide a significant benefit to the community into the future.”
Local organisations also successful in being awarded grants were; Finch Hatton Airstrip Association, Finch Hatton Progress Association, Greater Whitsunday Food Network, Mackay Regional Council and Reef Catchments.
Mackay Tourism has also been successful in their application for funding for an agritourism capacity-building forum.
“The agritourism capacity-building forum will educate farmers from across The Mackay Region, notably the bushfire affections areas, on diversifying and developing their businesses in the tourism space,” explained Mackay Tourism General Manager Tas Webber.
“The launch of Greater Whitsunday Food Network’s Farm, Food and Flavours Tours demonstrate the readiness of farmers to embrace agritourism, and that a significant demand exists from visitors,” he said.
Mr Webber continued, “the forum will also assist farmers to keep their produce local, which in turn will become a marketing opportunity for local restaurants, and the shorter supply chains will enable farmers to get back on their feet far sooner after a natural disaster.”
Round Two of the Central Queensland Bushfires Flexible Funding Grants is scheduled for release in October 2019. Further details are available from https://www.communities.qld.gov.au/community/community-recovery.
Contact:
Daniel Brown - Communications Officer
0448 994 180
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Published: 4 July 2019