A $36.8 million bushfire recovery package has been announced for 13 Queensland Councils and state agencies.

The Scenic Rim and Ipswich councils are on the list of local authorities eligible to apply for up to $5 million from the newly named Local Economic Recovery Fund.

Money for the package has been assembeld by the Australian and Queensland governments.

Federal Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the multi-million dollar fund was designed to assist the communities hardest hit by the 2019 bushfires.

“This bushfire recovery funding is about ensuring the recovery of the most heavily impacted communities can continue, especially in light of the Covid-19 situation,” Minister Littleproud said.

“The announcement is part of the Commonwealth’s $448.5 million commitment to fund recovery projects around Australia so towns and regions can get back on their feet following last summer’s fires.

“This joint funding is for projects that support local and regional recovery, with funding allocated based on community needs.

“That could be economic or social, in relation to the rebuilding of infrastructure, or to do with the natural environment,” he said.

“Local councils will have a key role in putting the right projects forward and I encourage communities to engage with their council on recovery priorities.”

The councils which are eligible to make a bid for a share of the funding package are Scenic Rim, Ipswich, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Gympie, Ipswich, Livingstone, Lockyer Valley, Mareeba, Noosa, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba.

Councils have until September 7 to submit expressions of interest for projects to the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.