Ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper
Following the impact of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December 2023, nine local government areas – Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Cook, Douglas, HopeVale, Mareeba, Tablelands, Wujal Wujal and Yarrabah - have been activated for a range of disaster assistance through the joint State and Australian Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). The disaster assistance will address this weather event's immediate and long-term impacts.
Grants and other assistance (PDF, 127.6KB) are available from across the Queensland Government for businesses impacted by Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
You may be eligible to apply for more than one grant.
As part of the DRFA arrangements, there is a total of $29.15 million in support for tourism businesses.
$24.15 million Tourism Recovery Resilience Package
The Tourism Recovery Resilience Package (announced 11 January 2024) helps businesses recover from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper and includes:
- The $10 million Tourism Exceptional Assistance Grant provides financial assistance to tourism operators which were closed to trading for a minimum of 14 days as a result of being isolated, or having a usual area of operation isolated as a direct result of Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
- The $10 million Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure Grant: Tropical Cyclone Jasper provides support to tourism operators to prepare for the next natural disaster.
- Tropical North Queensland Marketing and Events Boost.
Read the news story.
$5 million Tourism Recovery Package
The Tourism Recovery Package (announced December 2023) provides immediate support for tourism operators impacted by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper and includes:
- The $1.6 million Tourism Recovery Assistance Grant provides financial assistance of up to $50,000 (ex GST) for eligible businesses in the defined disaster area. Owners of medium to large tourism business operations, can access funding to contribute towards the costs of initial clean-up, repairs and reinstatement of tourism operations.
- Visitor initiatives including discounted flights and accommodation packages (visit the Tourism and Events Queensland website for more information).
- A dedicated Tourism Recovery Officer based in Tourism Tropical North Queensland to assist tourism operators access assistance and support.
Read the news story.
Tourism Recovery Officer
As part of the $5 million Tourism Recovery package, a Tourism Recovery officer Fiona Nicholl, has been appointed to work with Tourism Tropical North Queensland to assist tourism operators.
The role is funded by the Federal and State Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Fiona is a Cairns-based tourism industry professional who joined her family’s business Gateway Media Group in 2008, and has been leading the business since 2012. She founded sister companies Drive Queensland and Cairns Calendar, and is a business partner in public relations and events management company Popcorn PR.
Ms Nicholl will be capably supported by an experienced team including Patrick McLoughlin and Claudia McFadden.
The Tourism Recovery Officer can be contacted at tro@ttnq.org.au.
There is more support available for eligible businesses with further information at the Business Queensland website.
Last updated: 04 Apr 2024