Extra bushfire help for CQ communities of Bracewell and Machine Creek

Personal hardship disaster assistance has been extended to the Gladstone areas of Bracewell and Machine Creek in response to the Central Queensland bushfires.

Assistant Minister for Home Affairs, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds, and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said the help was being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and was in addition to the assistance already available for Gladstone and other communities in Central Queensland.

Assistant Minister Reynolds, who has responsibility for Commonwealth disaster assistance, said the impacts of the bushfires in Central Queensland were still being realised.

“As the focus turns to ongoing community recovery, the Commonwealth and Queensland governments will continue to work collaboratively to provide assistance and support where it is needed for the recovery efforts,” Assistant Minister Reynolds said.

“Assistance is now available to alleviate personal hardship and assist the safe reconnection of essential services in the Gladstone suburbs of Bracewell and Machine Creek.”

Mr Crawford said it was important that all levels of government contributed to the recovery process.

“Affected local councils, state agencies, non-government organisations and Commonwealth Government all have a role to play in helping Central Queensland communities recover from this event,” Mr Crawford said.

“Personal hardship assistance and the essential services safety and reconnection scheme are already available in the Gladstone suburbs of Ambrose, Baffle Creek, Captain’s Creek, Deepwater, Mount Larcom, Oyster Creek, Rules Beach and Taunton and now include Bracewell and Machine Creek.

“In total, eight councils affected by the bushfires can access DRFA assistance and we will continue to support the communities that need it most.”

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

Media contacts:

Nicky Hamer 0437 989 927 (Assistant Minister Reynolds)

Bernadette Condren 0417 296 116 (Minister Crawford)