Environmental Recovery and Stewardship

With the increasing prevalence of natural disaster impacts, the Queensland Government is committed to supporting the recovery and ongoing resilience building of a region’s natural and/or heritage assets, with particular attention to:

• a community’s exposure to environmental health hazards
• local environmental stewardship that reflects consultation with relevant stakeholders
• biodiversity and ecosystem condition and to the enjoyment and use by others
• harnessing scientific and other knowledge for effective decision making
• enabling environments that can resist impact and recover to an acceptable state
• recovery actions that do not generate further risk to the environment.

Through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), a jointly funded arrangement between the Australian Government and state and territory governments, the Australian Government assists the Queensland Government to provide the financial support needed for environmental recovery and resilience building program activities.

The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (Department) is responsible for administering these programs, in partnership with other Queensland Government departments, and through a combination of grants and procurement, including:

Environmental Recovery Programs – Category D Exceptional Circumstances to assist in environmental recovery actions related to the below events:

• North and Far North Tropical Low, 29 January to 28 February 2025 ($75.1 million)
• Tropical Cyclone Jasper, Associated Rainfall and Flooding, 13–28 December 2023 ($42.98 million)
• South Queensland Severe Storms and Rainfall, 24 December 2023 to 3 January 2024 ($8.32 million)
• Northern and Central Queensland Monsoon and Flooding 20 December 2022 to 30 April 2023 ($15 million)
• Rainfall and flooding events of 2021–2022 severe weather season ($38.9 million).

Further information on activations under the DRFA is available on the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) website.

Environmental Recovery Programs

Environmental Recovery Programs aim to support rehabilitation and restoration of disaster affected environments and environmental assets in order to maintain healthy ecosystems and other environmental values and improve resilience for future events.

Environmental recovery actions for a Program are generally grouped into Sub-Programs for a range of activities, such as riverine recovery, pest and weed management and biodiversity conservation. The type of projects that are eligible to be supported through the programs vary depending on the impacts recorded from a severe event. The below case studies have been prepared to showcase the variety of projects that can be supported.

Case studies under the DRFA ERP include:

Riverine recovery works

• Collaborative landslip rehabilitation

Pest and weed management

• Cats Claw Creeper vine management
• Feral pig management

Biodiversity conservation

• Mary River Cod monitoring

North and Far North Tropical Low, 29 January to 28 February 2025 ($75.1 million)

North and Far North Queensland was impacted by a tropical low resulting in record-breaking flood conditions. As a result, recovery assistance was activated through an Environmental Recovery Program totalling $75.1 million. The Program has a 3-year implementation period from 30 June 2025 to 30 June 2028, and will be delivered through a combination of grants and procurement. The purpose of the Program is to support environmental recovery across North and Far North Queensland significantly impacted by this event.

Guidelines are in development for this Environmental Recovery Program.

North and Far North Tropical Low, 29 January to 28 February 2025 ($2.0 million)

The $2.0 million Environmental Cleanup and Local Conservation Grants program is an initiative of the 2024–25 Environmental Recovery Package jointly funded Australian and Queensland Government (50:50) exceptional circumstances Category D package approved under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to assist in recovery following an extraordinary disaster event.

The purpose of the Program is to support the cleanup of debris along event impacted coastlines, waterways and within environmentally sensitive areas. It also aims to support the restoration of natural landscapes and key habitats.

Activities funded through the Program must be located within one or more of the following 24 activated local government areas:

1. Burdekin Shire Council
2. Cairns Regional Council
3. Cassowary Coast Regional Council
4. Carpentaria Shire Council
5. Charters Towers Regional Council
6. Cloncurry Shire Council
7. Croydon Shire Council
8. Cook Shire Council
9. Douglas Shire Council
10. Etheridge Shire Council
11. Flinders Shire Council
12. Hinchinbrook Shire Council
13. Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council
14. Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council
15. Longreach Regional Council
16. Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council
17. Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council
18. Richmond Shire Council
19. Tablelands Regional Council
20. Townsville City Council
21. Whitsunday Regional Council
22. Winton Shire Council
23. Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council
24. Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council

Eligible applicants include:

• properly established incorporated associations (incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act 1981)
• Australian charities registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)
• properly established not-for-profit organisations including those registered under the Corporations Act 2001 or the Co-operatives National Law Act (Queensland) (must include evidence attached of constitution for not-for-profit organisations)
• Indigenous corporations incorporated under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cwlth)
• River Improvement Trusts
• Private Protected Area landholders
• local governments established under the Local Government Act 2009 impacted by the eligible disaster event
• Natural Resource Management organisations.

Category D – Environmental Cleanup and Local Conservation grant program—applications now open

The objective of the Environmental Clean up and Local Conservation grant program will be to engage impacted communities to undertake on-ground activities within local government areas affected by the North and Far North Tropical Low, 29 January to 28 February 2025 event (the event) which aim to support community environmental restoration:

• remove and dispose of organic and inorganic debris resulting from the event from natural assets including nature reserves, private protected areas, marine areas including coastlines, beaches and mangroves, riparian areas and in waterways, creeks, rivers and streams
• restore natural landscapes and key habitats impacted by the event.

Applications close at 4pm on 24 September 2025.

More information is available in the program guidelines: North and Far North Tropical Low Environmental Cleanup and Local Conservation grant program guidelines (PDF, 454.2 KB) .

All applications must be submitted using SmartyGrants, the department’s online grants administration program.

Eligible applicants will vary between the sub-programs, but will generally include:

• First Nations corporations and Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers groups
• Natural Resource Management organisations, River Improvement Trusts and conservation groups
• Local and State Government
• Private Protected Area landholders
• Tertiary education institutions and private industry.

Sub-program A – Environmental Investigations Program

This program aims to collate an understanding of the extent of environmental impacts across the region including completing surveys, research and stakeholder engagement. The outcomes of these investigations will enable recovery decisions to be made using the best available knowledge. Projects are underway and due for completion mid 2025.

Sub-program B – Healthy Waters Clean Up and Recovery Program

This program aims to support riverine and coastal recovery activities such as bank stabilisation, coastal beach nourishment and revegetation, as well as local conservation and clean-up activities such as removal and disposal of event-related debris from natural assets and support for environmental conservation activities to rehabilitate natural landscapes.

i Riverine and Coastal Recovery

Projects for riverine recovery will be developed upon completion of the environmental investigations program. Coastal recovery projects will be developed with the impacted coastal local councils early 2025.

ii Local Conservation and Clean up grants—applications now closed

The objective of the Local Conservation and Cleanup Program will be to support eligible recipients to organise on-ground activities which support the clean-up of flood debris, focusing along the coastlines and within environmentally sensitive areas inland. The grant program also aims to manage contamination concerns accordingly, along with the conservation of natural environments, key habitats and unique wildlife.

• Applications closed at 4pm on 20 March 2025.
• More information is available in the program guidelines: Cyclone Jasper Local Conservation and Clean-up grants (PDF, 478 KB) .

Sub-program C – Biodiversity and Invasive Species Management Program

This program aims to support conservation projects that assist recovery of priority and threatened species, and to address pest and weed challenges resulting from the severe weather event.

i Biodiversity Conservation

Projects for Biodiversity Conservation will be developed upon completion of the environmental investigations program.

ii Pest and Weed Management - applications now closed

The program is aimed at addressing the pest and weed challenges brought about by the impacts to the environment from the severe weather events. The funding is designed to aid in recovery efforts for impacted communities and align with the international importance for management of significant target species within and adjacent to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.

The program is being delivered by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (DPI) in collaboration with the Department. The program is only available to eligible Natural Resource Management (NRM) groups and Local and Regional Councils within the activated area.

Applications closed at 4pm on 05 September 2025.

For more information, please contact TCjasperpestweed@dpi.qld.gov.au

Sub-program D – National Park Recovery Program

This program supports recovery activities within the Queensland protected area estate and is being delivered by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service arm of the Department.

Sub-program E – Environmental and Cultural Asset Steward Support Program

This program is a collection of four activities to support environmental and cultural asset stewardship.

i Private Protected Area landholder support

The objective of the Private Protected Area Landowner Support program is to fund on-ground projects that rehabilitate and restore severe weather affected environments within the nature refuge or special wildlife reserve boundary to maintain healthy ecosystems and improve resilience for future disaster events.

For further details visit Nature Refuge Disaster Recovery Grants.

ii Cultural Steward support

The objectives of the program will be for First Nations groups and the Department to co-develop a grant program that enables First Nations groups to undertake activities that manage the environmental recovery from severe event impacts on Country in order to continue to conserve the area’s significant cultural and natural resources and values. This Program aims to steward Country and culture on land by incorporating traditional knowledge and capacity building into program delivery.

A grant program will be released upon development of the Program Guidelines, aimed for mid 2025.

iii Unallocated State Land recovery support

Unallocated State land parcels have experienced significant impacts including damage to, and destruction of fire lines and trails, fallen trees and debris as well as fence line destruction and pest and weed incursions.

This program is being delivered by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing, Rural and Regional Development, and projects to undertake cleanup activities have begun and will be ongoing for the next 12 months.

iv World Heritage Steward support

Whilst the Department works in conjunction with a range of partners to protect the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, it is the Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA) that is responsible for overall stewardship and activity and land use planning over the area, to ensure it is protected for the world, guided by the best science and indigenous knowledge.

This program will be delivered by WTMA and involves developing community education programs, and other resilience measures to improve the awareness of environmentally sensitive recovery and better prepare infrastructure service providers in events to come.

South Queensland Severe Storms and Rainfall 24 December 2023 to 3 January 2024 ($8.32 million)

South Queensland was impacted by severe storms and rainfall 24 December 2023 to 3 January 2024. As a result, recovery assistance was activated for an Environmental Recovery Program totalling $8.32 million. The Program has a 3-year implementation period from 30 June 2024 to 30 June 2027, and will be delivered through a combination of grants and procurement.

The purpose of the Program is to support environmental recovery and stewards across South Queensland significantly impacted by storms. The Program is being delivered through the below sub-programs:

1. Environmental Investigations Program
2. Healthy Waters Recovery Program
3. Biodiversity Conservation Program
4. National Park Recovery Program
5. Environmental Asset Steward Support Program

Activities funded through the Program must be located within one or more of the following activated areas:

• City of Gold Coast
• Logan City Council
• Scenic Rim Regional Council

Eligible applicants will vary between the sub-program, but will generally include:

• First Nations corporations and Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers groups
• Natural Resource Management (NRM) organisations, River Improvement Trusts and conservation groups
• Local and State Government
• Private Protected Area landholders
• Tertiary education institutions and private industry.

Sub-program A – Environmental Investigations Program

This program aims to collate an understanding of the extent of environmental impacts across the region including completing surveys, research and stakeholder engagement. The outcomes of these investigations will enable recovery decisions to be made using the best available knowledge. Projects are underway and due for completion mid 2025.

Sub-program B – Healthy Waters Recovery Program

This program aims to support riverine and landscape recovery such as bank stabilisation and revegetation activities. Projects for riverine and landscape recovery will be developed upon completion of the environmental investigations program.

Sub-program C – Biodiversity Conservation Program

This program aims to support conservation projects that assist recovery of priority and threatened species. Projects for Biodiversity Conservation will be developed upon completion of the investigations program.

Sub-program D – National Park Recovery Program

This program supports recovery activities on park and is being delivered by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service arm of the Department.

Sub-program E – Environmental Asset Steward Support Program

The program is focused on Private Protected Area Landowner Support to fund on-ground projects that rehabilitate and restore severe weather affected environments within the nature refuge or special wildlife reserve boundary to maintain healthy ecosystems and improve resilience for future disaster events.

For further details visit Nature Refuge Disaster Recovery Grants.

Eligible applicants will vary between the sub-programs, but will generally include:

• First Nations corporations and Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers groups
• Natural Resource Management organisations and conservation groups
• Local and State Government
• Private Protected Area landholders
• Tertiary education institutions and private industry

Sub-program A – Environmental Investigations Program

This program aims to collate an understanding of the extent of environmental impacts across the region including completing surveys, research and stakeholder engagement. The outcomes of these investigations will enable recovery decisions to be made using the best available knowledge. Projects are underway and due for completion mid 2025.

Sub-program B – Clean Up and Invasive Species Management Program

This program aims to support local conservation and clean-up activities such as removal and disposal of event-related debris from natural assets, as well as pest and weed management.

i Local Conservation and Clean up grants—applications now closed

The objective of the Local Conservation and Cleanup Program will be to support eligible recipients to organise on-ground activities which support the clean-up of flood debris, focusing along the coastlines and within environmentally sensitive areas inland. The grant program also aims to manage contamination concerns accordingly, along with the conservation of natural environments, key habitats and unique wildlife.

• Applications closed at 4pm on 13 March 2025.
• More information is available in the program guidelines: North and Central Queensland Monsoon and Flooding Clean-up grants (PDF, 591 KB)

ii Pest and Weed Management

The program is aimed at addressing the pest and weed challenges brought about by the impacts to the environment from the severe weather events. Projects will be developed with eligible applicants in early 2025.

Sub-program C – Biodiversity and Riverine Recovery Program

This program aims to support conservation projects that assist recovery of priority and threatened species, as well as supporting riverine recovery activities such as bank stabilisation and revegetation. Projects for this sub-program will be developed upon completion of the investigations program.

Sub-program D – National Park Recovery Program

This program supports recovery activities on park and is being delivered by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service arm of the Department.

Stage 2 Onground works—applications now closed

Sub-program C—Biodiversity Conservation Program—applications now closed

The Biodiversity Conservation Program was allocated $1.6 million and is being managed as a grant program.

The objective of the Biodiversity Conservation Program is to provide funding assistance to:

• mitigate impacts on species and habitat resulting from the recent flooding events
• habitats are restored and reconnected for threatened species
• improve the population trajectories of target threatened species in the catchment area.

Program guidelines

More information is available in the Biodiversity Conservation Program (Flood Recovery) guidelines (PDF, 699.3 KB) .

Contact

For further information regarding eligibility requirements and advice on preparing an application, please contact the department at DESDRFA@detsi.qld.gov.au