A new project to build fire trails to protect the Crows Nest and Millmerran communities from future bushfire threats has received federal government funding.
Maranoa MP David Littleproud said the Toowoomba Regional Council would receive $42,750 to build fire trails at Crows Nest and Millmerran West in the first round of the Flexible Funding grants.
Flexible Funding grants are delivered under Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and the first round has been distributed to communities affected by the 2019 spring and summer bushfires.
Mr Littleproud said the fire trails would allow emergency services to quickly and safely access and contain bushfires.
"We're committed to rebuilding communities and the lives of those impacted by these devastating fires," Mr Littleproud said.
"The bushfires in the Crows Nest and Millmerran areas burnt more than 20,000 hectares of land, threatened lives and infrastructure, and devastated communities last year.
"This funding will allow those communities to pick up the pieces and complete crucial planning ahead of this bushfire season, to reduce the risk of another disaster."
Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio said the fire trails would be strategically located in the region and would be on both private and public land.
"It means that there will need to be a consultation process with affected landholders before construction begins," Cr Antonio said.
"Ideally, we would commence this consultation shortly. However, the bushfire season usually starts in August, and this is a peak time for QFES officers that may cause delays.
"It is, therefore, more realistic that the fire trails would be in place for the 2021 bushfire season."
The Millmerran West Fire Trails received $35,000 and the Crows Nest Fire Trails received $7750 via the grants.
Cr Antonio said as part of the application process, council and QFES committed in-kind support for the various services including such things as community consultation, legal services and project management.
"The joint estimated in-kind contribution by TRC and QFES is $7000 for Crows Nest and $30,000 for Millmerran West $30,000," he said.