Funding of up to $250,000 for tourism businesses impacted by the North Queensland Tropical Low (29 Jan–28 Feb 2025) through supporting disaster resilience improvement projects.
Current status of program
CLOSED
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
On this page you will find
What is the Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure Fund?
The Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure Fund: North Queensland Tropical Low 2025 (BRTINQ) is a disaster recovery initiative supported under the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). It aims to help tourism businesses affected by the North Queensland Tropical Low between 29 January and 28 February 2025 by providing funding for projects that improve their resilience to natural disasters.
This $4 million program is part of the broader $6.43 million Tourism Recovery and Resilience Package, coordinated by the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI). The funding will assist businesses to “Build Back Stronger” through tailored infrastructure upgrades and innovative mitigation measures.
The key objective of the BRTINQ Fund is to develop a more sustainable resilient tourism industry, through the implementation of measures and actions to lessen the impacts in the event of future natural disasters, and support business continuity.
The BRTINQ Fund will provide grants for eligible impacted tourism businesses to build resilience and aid their response to future natural disasters through innovative solutions.
Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure Fund level of support
- Total funding available: $4 million
- Minimum funding per project: $30,000
- Maximum funding per project: $250,000
Co-contribution:
- A financial contribution from the applicant is not required, but applicants may choose to fund part of the project themselves.
- Note: If your project exceeds $250,000, you must cover the remaining cost.
Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure Fund important dates
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure Fund objectives
The primary goal of the BRTINQ Fund is to strengthen the long-term sustainability and resilience of Queensland’s tourism industry by supporting infrastructure upgrades and initiatives that:
- Reduce vulnerability to natural disasters
- Improve business continuity and disaster preparedness
- Support faster recovery in the event of future events
Projects and expenditure eligible for Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure Fund support
The BRTINQ Fund will support eligible infrastructure projects that improve resilience and functionality of at-risk infrastructure, and also support initiatives to improve organisational resilience:
- With regard to local disaster risk.
- In accordance with current knowledge and practices for mitigating disaster impact.
- In accordance with changing recovery needs.
The types of projects that may be considered under the BRTINQ Fund include:
- Flood prevention measures or improvements to existing infrastructure that would mitigate or lessen the impact of future flood events e.g. flood mitigation levees.
- Infrastructure or equipment that could enable a business to quickly respond to an impending flood event e.g. pump/water extraction system, hoist system to raise equipment above known flood levels.
- Alternative power sources to provide business continuity where mains power has been disconnected.
- Safety and systems upgrades.
- Development and installation of early warning systems.
Projects may require pre-approvals associated with permits or licences. Applicants are required to seek and provide evidence, as part of the application, that the project is permitted.
Examples include:
- Bore installation requiring pre-approval prior to installation.
- Solar panel installation approval for grid connection from electricity distributor.
- Building permits, with consideration of flood mapping, for construction of flood mitigation works.
- Generator installation which may require Council approval.
This is not an exhaustive list.
Eligible project costs are those costs directly associated with the delivery of the eligible project, are included in the Project Plan and associated budget such as:
- All site works required as part of the construction e.g. preparation to completion.
- Construction-related labour including external Project Management costs e.g. contract labour and project management by a contractor.
- Purchase of materials and supplies, and equipment hire.
- Purchase and installation of new systems and equipment.
- Costs of obtaining and final approvals, permits and certifications.
Ineligible project costs not funded include the following:
- Works started before grant approval
- Routine maintenance or repairs from past events
- Purchase of land or buildings
- Equipment not owned or controlled by the applicant
- Employee wages, including consultants
- Feasibility studies, business cases or similar
- Marketing costs (e.g. websites, advertising)
- General admin or operating costs
- Projects already funded by insurance or other relief programs
Other Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure Fund important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure Fund support
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be located in one of the affected Local Government Areas:
-
- Burdekin Shire Council
- Cassowary Coast Regional Council
- Charters Towers Regional Council
- Hinchinbrook Shire Council
- Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council
- Townsville City Council
- have an established operating base in Queensland in one of the defined LGAs
- operate a business with a primary tourism focus (per ANZSIC definition)
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- be registered for GST at the time of the defined event
- have evidence of ownership or property owners’ consent.
In addition, applicant organisations must be one of the following:
- a tourism related private sector business e.g. a for-profit entity
- a tourism related not-for-profit organisation e.g. community organisation.
See the guidelines for full details of organisational requirements.
Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure Fund assessment criteria
Applications will be competitively assessed against three key criteria:
1. Improved Resilience (60%)
- Demonstrate direct impact from the January–February 2025 tropical low
- Provide evidence that the project will meaningfully improve disaster resilience
- Supporting documents may include: flood studies, risk assessments, consultation reports, and technical designs
2. Financial Value and Return on Investment (20%)
- Show the project offers value for money
- Include cost-benefit justification such as avoided loss, long-term savings, or business continuity benefits
3. Organisational Capacity (20%)
- Prove readiness to commence within 3 months of approval and complete by 31 March 2027
- Demonstrate financial and delivery capability
- Include necessary permits and approvals
- Clarify co-funding (if applicable) and its source (e.g. bank statement, loan document)
How do I get the Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure Fund?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines.
- Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Deliver the project/s as outlined in the application.
- Provide complete information requirements.
Information to prepare for the Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure Fund application
Applicants must be ready to submit:
- Proof of eligibility and event impact
- Confirmation of location in affected LGA
- Detailed project plan including:
-
- Timeline or Gantt chart
- Cash flow forecast
- Procurement and delivery methodology
- Detailed quotes for all works and equipment
- Evidence of permits/approvals (e.g. building, grid connections, council)
- If applicable, evidence of co-contribution
- Declaration that the project will:
-
- Start within 3 months of approval
- Be operational by March 2027
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for the Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure Fund
Applications must be submitted online through the SmartyGrants Portal.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure Fund resources
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