18 councils now activated under Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangments

Today, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Bill Byrne announced disaster assistance for a further five local councils affected by the ongoing heavy rainfalls and flooding across the Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York Peninsula.

Minister Byrne said the number of councils now receiving the assistance through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) has risen to 18.

“The assistance provided to these councils through this program reflects the importance and commitment for all levels of government to work together to support our local communities during a natural disaster,” Minister Byrne said.

The five additional councils activated under the NDRRA are Cook, Croydon, Flinders, Napranum and Winton shire councils.

“The active monsoon trough extending from the Northern Territory across the Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York Peninsula is bringing heavy rainfall and localised flooding through these areas, cutting them off to parts of Queensland,” Minister Byrne said.

“This assistance will help local councils with the costs of protecting their communities through things such as sandbagging, clean-up operations and repairing damage to essential infrastructure as quickly as possible.

“With 86% of Queensland currently drought declared, there is no doubt this much needed rain has been welcomed by our regional communities.

“However as often is the case, when it rains, it pours in regional Queensland and with the rain forecast to continue, unfortunately we expect to have more councils activated under the NDRRA over the coming weeks.”

Queensland councils now activated under the NDRRA are Aurukun, Boulia, Burke, Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Cook, Croydon, Doomadgee, Etheridge, Flinders, Kowanyama, McKinlay, Mornington, Mount Isa, Napranum, Pormpuraaw, Richmond and Winton.

Information regarding the assistance available can be found on the Queensland Government’s Disaster Management website at www.disaster.qld.gov.au and on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au

ENDS

Media Contact: Michelle Connolly 0478 325 738