From 2011-12 the Queensland Government has committed $45 million per year, under the Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program (LGGSP), to provide financial support for local governments that demonstrate that they have a limited capacity to self-fund an identified priority project, as evidenced by a financial sustainability evaluation undertaken by the department.

Under the LGGSP, funding is prioritised to projects that align with the Queensland Government’s Towards Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland ambitions of:

• Strong - creating a diverse economy powered by bright ideas
• Green - protecting our lifestyle and environment
• Smart - delivering world-class education and training
• Healthy - making Queenslanders Australia’s healthiest people
• Fair - supporting safe and caring communities.

As part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to rebuilding Queensland following the recent significant natural disaster events, priority may be given to projects in affected localities.

The LGGSP program, which incorporates the Climate Ready Infrastructure Initiative, aims to provide funding assistance to councils in Queensland to deliver projects that:

• are identified community needs
• support the ongoing sustainability of their communities
• protect natural and built environments
• enhance the quality of life of people living in rural communities by improving recreational, tourist or cultural facilities, or improving security measures in public places
• enhance the social, economic and environmental health of communities
• support delivery of state, local government and community priorities
• promote collaboration between neighbouring local governments to deliver regional priorities
• ensure that greenhouse gas reduction and climate change adaptation are key factors in planning and design
• promote and provide opportunity to increase Indigenous employment.

Cyclone and Flood Warning Subsidy

For 2011-12, the Government will prioritise up to $5 million of the Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program (LGGSP) funding to councils for capital acquisitions to support disaster preparedness, for example the provision of flood warning systems (including sirens, ALERT and SMS warnings) and the provision of additional flood and rainfall gauges.

This $5 million reserved funding under the LGGSP is known as the Cyclone and Flood Warning Subsidy ( 95 KB) . View examples of projects ( 45 KB) eligible for the Cyclone and Flood Warning Subsidy.

How to apply

To be considered for LGGSP funding assistance councils must:

• review the program guidelines ( 185 KB) and confirm eligibility
• refer to the Climate Ready Infrastructure Initiative (CRII) - Guide ( 469 KB) for considering climate change in LGGSP project proposals
• complete all sections of the LGGSP application form ( 469 KB) relevant to the project
• attach relevant supporting documentation that will assist in the assessment process
• forward the completed form and associated documentation to the department’s local regional office for processing and assessment.

All applications must be received by 5pm, Friday 30 September 2011.

Cyclone and Flood Warning Subsidy applications

Further information

For further information contact the department.