Suncorp launches $1 million FRRR disaster recovery partnership
Suncorp Group today pledged $1 million to the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) for a dedicated program to support Australian communities impacted by significant natural disasters.
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Suncorp Group CEO Steve Johnston announced the new national Rebuilding Futures program and launched the first round of $200,000 of grants to help New South Wales and Queensland communities impacted by flooding in March.
“These communities are dealing not only with COVID-19, but the significant impacts of flooding,” Mr Johnston said.
“I’ve seen first-hand the devastation and emotional toll of natural disasters, which is why we are supporting affected communities to not just build back but to make themselves more resilient than before.
“As an insurer and bank our job is to help our customers to physically and financially rebuild, but we know the full recovery process continues for years after people are back in their homes.
"Through our long-term relationships with customers across Australia, we see the importance of supporting wellbeing and the lasting value of a community’s spirit.
“Communities are best placed to steer their own future which is why these grants empower locals to come together to identify and design local solutions.”
FRRR facilitates funding and capacity building at the local level. It has the relationships and know-how to distribute grants to fund community-led solutions that build the resilience and long-term viability of remote, rural, and regional communities across Australia.
Natalie Egleton, CEO of FRRR, said the organisation is delighted to be partnering with Suncorp Group on the dedicated funding initiative.
“From our many years working alongside communities as they recover from natural disasters, we have learnt that recovery is a marathon and local community groups and non-profits need funding for diverse recovery initiatives as needs evolve over time,” Ms Egleton said.
This program, with a focus on the medium to long-term needs and building back better, will mean that when there are significant disasters, the support will be available for local groups to address issues that are important to recovery, to rebuilding the sense of place that is often so badly damaged by floods like those we saw in New South Wales earlier this year.
FRRR CEO Natalie Egleton
The first Rebuilding Futures grant round opens today and closes on 15 September 2021. As part of this grant round, a total of $200,000 will be on offer. Individual grants of up to $15,000 for local community groups and not-for-profits in areas impacted by flooding in March 2021 will be available.
Successful grants will be announced in November 2021, with more information available on the FRRR website.
Suncorp has been managing more than 10,000 insurance claims following the widespread flooding earlier this year, with more than 60 per cent now finalised.
“We are working closely with our building partners to progress repairs as fast and safely as possible,” Mr Johnston said.
“Climate change is increasing the risk of extreme physical and economic impacts of natural disasters, including the costs of recovery for governments and communities.
"This program aims to create a brighter future for regional Australia by backing local communities that are the hardest hit by extreme weather.
“We will continue to advocate for more investment in mitigation infrastructure that protects communities, as well as incentives for property owners to make their dwellings more resilient; enhanced building codes to make homes stronger; and better land-use planning to ensure new communities aren’t placed at risk.”
For more information contact:
James Spence
0436 457 886
media@suncorp.com.au
