The federal and Queensland governments will provide more than $206 million to help communities hit by Ex-Cyclone Jasper last summer, in a package that includes funds to boost resilience.

“Tropical Cyclone Jasper hit the far north hard and this significant investment is about providing more help to those communities as they continue to build back stronger,” Treasurer Jim Chalmers said.

The spending includes $130 million to build more resilient infrastructure, $61.2 million for water and sewerage works, a $13.9 million Wujal Wujal targeted assistance package, $1.5 million for legal assistance related to Jasper and southeast Queensland storms, and $1.5 million for monitoring and evaluation of recovery initiatives.

The legal assistance includes support for people navigating insurance claims and disputes, plus issues around housing and tenancy, disaster relief grant eligibility, social security and family violence.

“Plenty of terrific recovery work has already taken place, but we know there is still much more to be done, and this funding will ensure that happens,” Queensland Reconstruction Authority Minister Ann Leahy said.

“This recovery package is a significant investment in rebuilding communities to be more resilient in the years ahead.” 

Funding is through the state and commonwealth Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, and follows early spending of more than $229 million for Jasper and southeast Queensland storms.