Disaster Assistance for Gladstone and North Burnett Communities

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

The Hon Michael Keenan MP

Minister for Justice

Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Counter Terrorism

The Hon Mark Ryan MP

Queensland Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services

Queensland Minister for Corrective Services

Federal Minister for Justice Michael Keenan and Queensland Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan today announced disaster assistance in response to the severe weather that affected the local government areas of Gladstone and North Burnett this week.

Minister Keenan said the assistance was being provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

“The Federal Government is providing funding to assist the Queensland Government and both local councils with disaster operations and the restoration of damaged community infrastructure, such as local roads,” Mr Keenan said.

“Additional assistance will also be available to individuals and families in the worst affected areas of Gladstone who are suffering hardship as a direct result of the disaster.

“Anyone suffering hardship should contact the Queensland Department of Communities on 1800 173 349 or at www.communities.qld.gov.au to enquire about the assistance available to them.

“This funding demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to providing continuing relief and recovery assistance following natural disasters.”

Minister Ryan said there has been extensive damage to the road network from this event and it is crucial that disaster recovery funding is made available quickly so that repairs can be made as soon as possible.

“Government staff are also out on the ground assessing damage to agricultural production, particularly vegetable and grain crops which were almost ready to harvest in those areas where the rain has been heaviest.

“The State has also deployed an advance Community Recovery team from within the region to liaise with local services, disaster management groups and recovery groups.

“A Community Recovery Coordination Centre will be set up this afternoon to coordinate the deployment of outreach teams into impacted areas commencing from tomorrow, unless weather hampers their mobility.”

Minister Keenan and Minister Ryan praised the Queensland Police Service, Queensland Fire and Emergency Service and SES for their response to the incident.

“Since October 13, SES have received 631 jobs across the state,” Mr Ryan said. .

“But there is more rain to come, so I encourage all Queenslanders to remember, If it’s flooded, forget it.”

Information on disaster assistance available for this natural disaster can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at https://www.disasterassist.gov.au/ and the Queensland Government’s Disaster management website at http://www.disaster.qld.gov.au/.

Media contacts:

Michael Tetlow 0476 820 816 or Dan Mumford 0438 077 656 (Minister Keenan)

Sue Lappeman 0418 792 406 (Minister Ryan)