Recovery support expanded for Queensland flooding crisis

• Personal Hardship Assistance payments have been made available to flood impacted residents in Carpentaria Shire.
• Eight additional local government areas can now access disaster assistance for their response and recovery activities.
• Funding provided by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Personal Hardship Assistance has been extended to flood affected residents of Carpentaria as part of Queensland’s continuing flood recovery.

Emergency payments of $180 per individual, up to $900 for a family of five or more will help affected residents cover immediate essentials such as food, medicine and clothing.

Eligible uninsured residents in Carpentaria can also apply for three income-tested grants to assist with replacing essential household items, reconnecting essential services, and repairing flood damaged homes.

Funding is available under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), provided by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments.

Carpentaria Shire is the latest area activated for hardship assistance, with eligible residents in Clermont, targeted areas of the Mackay LGA, and Flinders, McKinlay, Richmond and Winton Shires also encouraged to apply.

Applications can be made at www.disaster.qld.gov.au or by calling the Queensland Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

Another eight councils have also been activated for DRFA assistance to recoup the costs of their counter disaster operations and the reconstruction of essential public assets.

These councils include Barcaldine, Barcoo, Boulia, Cairns, Kowanyama, Longreach, Mapoon, and Torres Strait Island, taking the total number of DRFA activated local governments in response to the North Queensland Monsoon Trough and ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji to 39.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the government wanted to ensure everyone affected by the floods can access the appropriate assistance.

"During extended disaster events like this, it’s essential nobody slips through the cracks and support is delivered promptly where it's needed," Minister McBain said.

“This funding will make sure some of our most isolated communities in Australia can stay safe, connected and functioning.”

Queensland Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy said the financial support would help communities push through the challenging times to come. 

“We’re working closely with every impacted council and through the Queensland Reconstruction Authority we’ll guide immediate and long-term recovery efforts,” Minister Leahy said. 

“For residents in need of disaster support, our Community Recovery team can be reached day and night by calling 1800 173 349.”

Personal Hardship Assistance available to eligible residents:

• Emergency Hardship Assistance – $180 per person, up to $900 for a family of five or more to purchase immediate essentials like food, clothing and medicine.
• Essential Services Hardship Assistance – $150 per person, up to $750 for a family of five or more to assist with immediate needs following the loss of essential services at home for more than five consecutive days.
• Essential Household Contents Grants – income-tested assistance for uninsured residents, up to $1,765 for individuals and up to $5,300 for couples or families to replace destroyed essential household contents such as bed linen and whitegoods.
• Structural Assistance Grants – up to $80,000 for uninsured, income-tested owner-occupiers towards the repair or replacement of a disaster damaged dwelling to return it to a safe and habitable condition.
• Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme – income-tested grants to help uninsured residents reconnect damaged services like electricity, gas, water or sewerage. Up to $5,000 per household.

ENDS

Media contacts:
Minister McBain: David Jean 0467 559 492
Minister Leahy: Kyah Devine 0424 670 963