Community groups in North Queensland recovering from the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred can now apply for recovery grants, with RACQ Foundation opening a special $500,000 funding round.
RACQ general manager advocacy Joshua Cooney said the latest disasters had left many local organisations facing serious damage from wind and flooding.
“The RACQ Foundation has been helping communities recover from natural disasters for 15 years. We know sporting clubs, local organisations and charities are the backbone of local communities, so it is important for us to help them get back on their feet as soon as possible,” Cooney said.
Grants are available to charities, First Nations councils, sporting clubs, and other community groups, and can be used to purchase equipment, repair infrastructure, or restore damaged technology. The funding is part of RACQ’s broader $1 million commitment to assist communities hardest hit by recent severe weather events across the state.
“Whether it’s a clubhouse that has sustained roof damage from strong winds or a not-for-profit that’s experienced significant water inundation, the Foundation is here to help, and we encourage community groups to apply as soon as they can,” Cooney said.
An additional round of resilience and recovery funding is also scheduled to open in May, extending support to other parts of Queensland.
In parallel with the grant rollout, RACQ has also processed thousands of insurance claims related to Cyclone Alfred. As of March 19, the organisation had received 14,447 claims, including more than 13,800 for residential damage and over 600 for motor vehicles.
RACQ chief executive insurance Trent Sayers said some households only regained electricity earlier this week, delaying their ability to assess damage and file claims.
“Our teams are on the phone and online to help members process their claim and organise any additional support that may be required,” Sayers said, adding that assessors and builders had been deployed to affected areas to conduct inspections and carry out temporary repairs.
