Published Thursday, 17 January, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Treasurer
The Honourable Andrew Fraser
Flood assistance extended to almost half of Queensland
The Queensland Government has activated disaster assistance for a further six local government areas, now making relief available to almost half of the State.
Acting Emergency Services Minister Andrew Fraser said activating the joint State-Commonwealth funded Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements to Cook, Croydon, Etheridge, Flinders, McKinlay and Richmond Shires meant assistance was now available for 40 shires.
Mr Fraser said the latest extension of disaster assistance followed damage assessments to public infrastructure as a result heavy rain and associated flooding from the monsoonal low.
“Early estimates of damage to public infrastructure in north and western Queensland as a result of the monsoonal low now exceed $25 million,” Mr Fraser said.
“This places the residents in those affected towns in an extremely difficult position of not being able to use the type of infrastructure we all take for granted – like roads and bridges.
“It’s critical the government get the assistance flowing for personal hardship as well as for the restoration of public assets as quickly as possible and that’s why the activation of funding for these 40 shires has happened so swiftly.
“Additionally, today assistance has also been activated for sporting and not-for-profit community organisations under the Associations Natural Disaster Relief Scheme.
“Under this scheme, assistance is available for eligible sporting clubs and not-for-profit community organisations to restore assets to a pre-disaster standard.
“Maximum assistance available is concessional loans of $100,000 and grants of $5000.
“We are closely monitoring the flooding situation in western Queensland as heavy rain continues to fall. SES crews are on standby.”
Acting Communities Minister Rod Welford said available assistance included personal hardship support.
“Personal hardship assistance is available to help families in affected areas access essentials such as food, dry clothes and accommodation," Mr Welford said.
“These personal hardship grants of $160 per person and up to $740 per family are available and other means-tested assistance may also be available for the repair of buildings.”
For more information about assistance available in your area, call Communities’ Natural Disaster Hotline on 1800 440 074.
Members for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan and Cook Jason O’Brien said the damage to public infrastructure, primarily roads, was estimated to be more than $12 million in these six shires.
“Preliminary estimates indicate damage in McKinlay shire is $5 million and $3 million each in Cook and Etheridge shires,” Mrs Kiernan and Mr O’Brien said.
“The activation of NDRRA assistance for the restoration of essential public assets, such as roads and bridges, and costs of counter disaster operations, including the clean-up of debris, is welcomed.”
Media Contact Chris Taylor/Chris Ward 3224 5982
17 January 2008
Acting Emergency Services Minister Andrew Fraser said activating the joint State-Commonwealth funded Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements to Cook, Croydon, Etheridge, Flinders, McKinlay and Richmond Shires meant assistance was now available for 40 shires.
Mr Fraser said the latest extension of disaster assistance followed damage assessments to public infrastructure as a result heavy rain and associated flooding from the monsoonal low.
“Early estimates of damage to public infrastructure in north and western Queensland as a result of the monsoonal low now exceed $25 million,” Mr Fraser said.
“This places the residents in those affected towns in an extremely difficult position of not being able to use the type of infrastructure we all take for granted – like roads and bridges.
“It’s critical the government get the assistance flowing for personal hardship as well as for the restoration of public assets as quickly as possible and that’s why the activation of funding for these 40 shires has happened so swiftly.
“Additionally, today assistance has also been activated for sporting and not-for-profit community organisations under the Associations Natural Disaster Relief Scheme.
“Under this scheme, assistance is available for eligible sporting clubs and not-for-profit community organisations to restore assets to a pre-disaster standard.
“Maximum assistance available is concessional loans of $100,000 and grants of $5000.
“We are closely monitoring the flooding situation in western Queensland as heavy rain continues to fall. SES crews are on standby.”
Acting Communities Minister Rod Welford said available assistance included personal hardship support.
“Personal hardship assistance is available to help families in affected areas access essentials such as food, dry clothes and accommodation," Mr Welford said.
“These personal hardship grants of $160 per person and up to $740 per family are available and other means-tested assistance may also be available for the repair of buildings.”
For more information about assistance available in your area, call Communities’ Natural Disaster Hotline on 1800 440 074.
Members for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan and Cook Jason O’Brien said the damage to public infrastructure, primarily roads, was estimated to be more than $12 million in these six shires.
“Preliminary estimates indicate damage in McKinlay shire is $5 million and $3 million each in Cook and Etheridge shires,” Mrs Kiernan and Mr O’Brien said.
“The activation of NDRRA assistance for the restoration of essential public assets, such as roads and bridges, and costs of counter disaster operations, including the clean-up of debris, is welcomed.”
Media Contact Chris Taylor/Chris Ward 3224 5982
17 January 2008