Cassowary Coast Transition to Recovery

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Published
19th February 2025

As our community transitions from disaster to recovery, our teams will continue to work behind the scenes repairing damage and rebuilding our communities.

Council’s Actions to Date

During the disaster response, Council has been actively working to support our community by:

  • Undertaking counter-disaster activities to restore Council’s transport and drainage infrastructure.
  • Ensuring the continuation of essential services, including water, wastewater, and waste management.
  • Reviewing Council’s Financial Hardship Policy and rates due date to support affected residents.
  • Conducting kerbside hard waste clean-ups in Cardwell and surrounding areas.
  • Assisting the Queensland Recovery Team at community recovery hubs.
  • Engaging with local businesses to support economic recovery.
  • Opening a temporary transfer station for flood waste disposal.
  • Collaborating with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority to assess damage and coordinate emergency repairs.
  • Partnering with the state government and suppliers to restore critical supply routes
  • Connecting residents with grant opportunities.
  • Advocating for our community’s needs at the state and federal levels.
  • Providing mosquito repellent and cleaning supplies to the Cardwell community.

Next Steps in Recovery

Restoring infrastructure takes time and requires detailed assessments, funding approvals, and adherence to safety and quality standards. Over the next three to six months, Council will focus on:

  • Conducting a comprehensive assessment of infrastructure and road networks to identify and prioritise necessary repairs.
  • Preparing and submitting funding applications to the Queensland Reconstruction Authority to support recovery efforts.
  • Conducting repairs to essential public assets.
  • Connecting our community with available grant opportunities to assist those impacted by the disaster.
  • Conducting of business and industry impact assessments in impacted areas to identify impacts and issues.
  • Collaborating with agencies to provide the business community with support options available and communicate facilitate opportunities to be supported to access.
  • Advocate to highlight disaster induced issues being experienced by businesses and Drive the Economic Recovery Sub Group to identify short, medium and long term recovery actions tailored to meet the regions needs.  
  • Council will support wildlife rehabilitation activities, establish an environmental recovery group, and secure funding for natural asset recovery efforts.  
  • Identify and make safe coastal accesses, repair damaged walking tracks/ fire trails, and coordinate the recovery of sunken boats and marine debris to restore the key environmental values of the Region. 

We will continue to provide updates on infrastructure repairs and funding developments through our official channels.

Financial Support for Ratepayers

Council recognises the financial challenges disasters bring. To assist ratepayers, we have:

  • Extended the due date for January–June 2025 rates to Friday, 14 March 2025 for all ratepayers
  • Maintained the 5% discount on general rates for those who pay in full by the extended due date
  • Reviewed and amended our Financial Hardship Policy to better support those most severely impacted

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the volunteers, contractors, and organisations who have stepped up to support our community. We are especially grateful to Red Cross, Tully Support Centre, CCUS, Blenners Transport, Girringun Aboriginal Corporation, Khalsa Aid Innisfail, Lions, QCWA, SES, Rural Fire Service, QPS, QFD, QRA and all individuals who have given their time.

For further information contact Council at 1300 763 903 or email enquiries@cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au.