Additional Disaster Assistance for Communities in North West Queensland Joint Release

Published Thursday, 29 March, 2018 at 12:01 PM

Minister for Fire and Emergency Services
The Honourable Craig Crawford

Disaster assistance has been extended to the local government areas of Barcoo, Blackall-Tambo, Boulia, Burke, Croydon and Diamantina, which were affected by flooding in late February and early March 2018.

Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

Minister for Law Enforcement and Cyber Security Angus Taylor, who has responsibility for Commonwealth disaster assistance, said that funding is being made available through the NDRRA to support response operations and repair flood damaged assets, including local roads.

“Floodwaters affected numerous communities across the region, and a number of townships were isolated,” Mr Taylor said.

“Councils reported significant damage to local and state roads, including scouring, gravel loss and pavement failures.”

Queensland Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Craig Crawford said this assistance demonstrated the commitment of the Commonwealth and Queensland governments to ensure local governments get the assistance they need to recover.

“The floodwaters isolated communities from neighbouring townships and cut off access to essential supplies and services,” Mr Crawford said.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and will extend assistance under the NDRRA to other affected communities as required.”

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

Media Contacts: 

0412 393 909 (Minister Crawford)

0481 907 178 (Minister Taylor)