More Queensland communities to receive disaster assistance

Disaster assistance has been extended to Cassowary Coast Regional Council, as well as primary producers in Charters Towers, Croydon and Etheridge affected by Queensland’s monsoonal floods.

Also, affected individuals and families in the hardest hit areas of Hinchinbrook can now access personal hardship assistance payments.

Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-Queensland Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and is in addition to assistance already activated for the flooding event.

Assistant Minister for Home Affairs Senator the Hon. Linda Reynolds and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said the impacted communities had shown resilience during what were extremely challenging circumstances.

“Through the DRFA, the Commonwealth and Queensland governments are helping regional and remote councils, primary producers, individuals and families in the aftermath of the event,” Assistant Minister Reynolds said.

“DRFA assistance is now available to Cassowary Coast Regional Council to alleviate operational costs and assist with the cost of clean-up and repairs.

“The relief measures now available in the Hinchinbrook communities of Forrest Beach, Helens Hill, Coolbie and properties on Legges Road in Braemeadows will alleviate personal hardship and assist with the safe reconnection of essential services.

“We are standing with Queenslanders as they plan their long road to recovery.”

Mr Crawford said assistance would continue to be made available to the communities and sectors that need it the most.

“In addition to the DRFA assistance measures already available in Charters Towers, Croydon and Etheridge, primary producers in these regions can now access low interest loans of up to $250,000 and freight subsidies of up to $5000,” Mr Crawford said.

“Individuals and families in some of the worst affected areas of Hinchinbrook can now access payments of up to $180 per person, or up to $900 for a family of five to help with their recovery.

“The water may be going down, but as it does the impacts go up, and our hearts go out to everyone dealing with the effects of this natural disaster.

“We are working closely with the Commonwealth to ensure impacted Queenslanders receive all the available assistance they need.”

A range of DRFA assistance is now available in 32 local government areas in northern and western Queensland: Barcoo, Boulia, Burdekin, Burke, Cairns, Carpentaria, Cassowary Coast, Charters Towers, Cloncurry, Cook, Croydon, Diamantina, Douglas, Etheridge, Flinders, Hinchinbrook, Hope Vale, Kowanyama, Lockhart River, Longreach, Mackay, Mareeba, McKinlay, Mornington, Mount Isa, Palm Island, Richmond, Townsville, Whitsunday, Winton, Wujal Wujal and Yarrabah.

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)