Livingstone Shire and other communities impacted by devastating bushfires last year will receive funding to employ Community Development Officers to help lead long-term recovery efforts.
Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said Livingstone Shire Councils will share in $3 million over the next two years with five other local government areas under the Community Development Program to help communities rebuild and recover.
Ms Landry said the bushfires have had a significant impact on Central Queenslanders.
“The bushfires damaged and destroyed homes, displaced locals and disrupted hardworking businesses.
“Community Development Officers play a vital role in the long-term recovery of communities, working to identify their needs and aspirations, facilitating developmental opportunities, arranging community planning days and supporting community recovery and resilience projects.”
The following councils were successful in securing funding under the Community Development Program:
• Livingstone Shire Council – for a Community Development Officer to work across Livingstone LGA
• Noosa Shire Council – for a Community Development Officer to work across Noosa LGA
• Scenic Rim Regional Council – for a Community Development Officer to work across Scenic Rim LGA
• Somerset Regional Council – for a Community Development Officer to work across the Lockyer Valley and Somerset LGAs
• Southern Downs Regional Council – for a Community Development Officer to work across the Southern Downs LGA
Funding for the Community Development Program falls under jointly funded Commonwealth/State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements – Category C Community Recovery Fund.