Support available for Lockhart River residents impacted by TC Trevor

Financial assistance and support services are now available to residents directly affected by Tropical Cyclone Trevor in Far North Queensland.

Minister for Communities Coralee O’Rourke said Tropical Cyclone Trevor had impacted the Lockhart River community overnight.

“Residents in Lockhart River have experienced power outages due to the damaging winds as a result of TC Trevor,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“We have deployed Ready Reserve staff to Far North Queensland to lead community recovery efforts, and once it is safe to do so, we will send them into these impacted communities.

“In the meantime, we could encourage people to download the Self Recovery app for information or to apply for grants, including Emergency Hardship Grants.”

Emergency Hardship Assistance Grants of $180 per person and up to $900 for a family of five or more are available for cyclone-affected residents to contribute to the replacement of essential items like food, clothing and medications or to help cover the costs of alternative accommodation if they can’t live at home.

Other income tested grants such as the Essential Household Contents Grant may be available to eligible applicants as a contribution towards the cost of repair or replacement of uninsured essential household contents.

Grant applications can be made through the Community Recovery online portal at www.communityrecovery.qld.gov.au. The Community Recovery Hotline is also available on 1800 173 349 if you need more information or wish to apply for grants and access to support services over the phone.

Financial assistance is available through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

“Our community recovery staff will be able to assist residents on the ground to access financial assistance and support services that they may need to assist with their recovery.”

Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said it had been a difficult disaster season for many residents in the state’s North and Far North, many of whom were still cleaning up from flooding in recent months.

“The communities of North and Far North Queensland have been incredibly resilient during what has been a very difficult season of natural disasters,” she said.

“The Palaszczuk Government will provide as much support as we can to impacted communities, as we have done in previous disasters through our community recovery teams and grants.

“Our aim is to get this vital support into cyclone-affected communities as quickly as we can, and we appreciate the patience of residents during this difficult time.”

People who are experiencing hardship due to TC Trevor should contact the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 or go to www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies for further information.

ENDS

Media Contact: Benjamin Mulcahy 0419 562 389