Question on Notice 477/2025: Metro North Mental Health Disaster Recovery team

Topic

Metro North Mental Health Disaster Recovery team

Question

QUESTION Will the Minister save the Metro North Mental Health Disaster Recovery team by providing ongoing funding the four FTE in it through the HHS, so these Allied Health Professionals can continue to build capacity and community resilience with first responders, community members and the most vulnerable members of communities on the Northside of Brisbane? ANSWER Following the 2021-22 floods, the Commonwealth National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) provided funding to establish the multi-disciplinary Metro North Mental Health (MNMH) Disaster Recovery Team (DRT) to provide mental health and emotional wellbeing support to flood-affected communities. This support assisted affected communities, individuals, and families in their psychological recovery from the disaster and its associated consequences. The DRT was initially funded under the Category C Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements – The 2021-2022 Flood and Rainfall Extension of Time Program (the program) until 30 June 2024. Funding for the DRT was extended until 29 June 2025 after the NEMA approved an extension of the program. Due to a program underspend, the DRT will continue to end September 2025. I am advised that Metro North Mental Health recently applied for additional funding under the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements - Category C in response to the impact of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in 2025.

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