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Aurizon MD&CEO Andrew Harding today announced a special round of the Aurizon Community Giving Fund would open next week to help Queensland communities impacted by Cyclone Debbie.

Mr Harding said grants of up to $20,000 would be made available to assist community groups in the recovery and rebuilding process.

“Each year we hold two rounds of our Giving Fund nationally,” Mr Harding said.

“It is a very popular program and since it was established in 2011 we have supported more than 240 charities and not-for-profits across the country in education, community safety, environment as well as health and wellbeing.

“Today we are announcing a one-off special round of the Giving Fund targeted exclusively for communities in North, Central and South East Queensland affected by the weather impacts of Cyclone Debbie.

“Like a lot of other businesses our company was hit by Cyclone Debbie with infrastructure damage and flooding resulting in the temporary closure of the four rail systems that make up the Central Queensland Coal Network.

“A number of our depots and facilities in Central and North Queensland have also sustained damage and we are working closely with our employees who have been personally impacted at home by storm damage or flooding.

“While we are working hard to repair and get our own operations back up and running, we are also part of the local communities where we live and work.

“Our employees have been doing a great job in supporting clean-up efforts, delivering much needed supplies, and preparing and recovering from the impacts of floodwaters.

“We also want to play our part financially to help these communities with the long-term recovery from this devastating weather event.

“This special round of the Giving Fund will pump money straight into those towns and regions that have been hardest hit and help fund grassroots projects and initiatives to help the community rebuild.

“After the waters recede and communities start the rebuilding process we would encourage them to consider our Giving Fund and the financial assistance we may be able to provide.”

Applications for the round will open Monday 10 April and close 2 June 2017. From Monday, eligible community groups, charities and not-for profits will be able to apply for assistance online via the Aurizon website.