Work on a $36 million environmental recovery program has started to help revitalise Northern Queensland’s rich natural habitat after February’s monsoon and flooding.

The program is part of the $242 million Recovery Package funded under the joint Commonwealth- Queensland Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the first 70 projects were already underway, sharing in $13.4 million in funding.

“Queensland’s natural wonders offer a once in a lifetime experience for visitors and we want to keep it that way,” Minister Littleproud said.

“Thousands of people in outback Queensland have jobs in tourism and we need to protect them.

“The total package of $36 million includes $33 million for riverbank and coastal recovery and $3 million to get on top of pests and weeds.

“We will keep standing shoulder-to-shoulder with these regions and will provide further assistance it’s needed.”

Queensland Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Leeanne Enoch said these projects were helping to undertake work that supports jobs in Queensland communities.

“Funding provided so far has supported projects that are helping to rebuild communities, and strengthen local economies and restore healthy ecosystems that communities rely on for their health and wellbeing,” Ms Enoch said.

“Queensland is no stranger to natural disasters and it is becoming clearer that the impacts of climate change are going to continue to affect our state.

“It is why funding like this is important, to help communities, and the environment, recover from severe weather events.”

Local Councils and Natural Resource Management groups are assisting communities with the delivery of the projects and funding.

Further funding will be provided through a second round of projects, expected to be later this year.

For more information about the Environmental Recovery Package, visit https://www.qra.qld.gov.au/funding/Monsoon-Trough-DRFA242M-package.