Flood assistance extended in wake of damaging storms

The State Government has activated assistance for 10 local government areas in southern and far western Queensland as a result of flood damage from heavy rain this week.

Premier Anna Bligh said the fact flood assistance has already been activated in five of these local government areas - Gold Coast, Logan, Brisbane, Boonah and Diamantina – highlighted the extensive flooding we have had this year.

The other local government areas where flood assistance is being activated today are Ipswich, Redland, Wambo, Tara and Boulia local government areas.

"Flood assistance has been activated across 71 local government areas - or in excess of 80% of the State’s land area - so far this year," Ms Bligh said.

"Many of these areas are also already drought-declared. Activating flood assistance does not mean the drought is over. It recognises that flood damage has been reported in these areas and makes assistance available."

Ms Bligh said the flood assistance was in three forms – personal hardship support, restoration of essential public assets, including roads, and counter disaster operations, such as clean-up of debris.

"Personal hardship assistance in the form of grants of $160 per person and up to $740 per family for essentials such as food, dry clothes and accommodation were available," she said.

"Assistance is also available for building and contents repair and replacement. This assistance is means tested. Maximum assistance is $9800 for individuals and $13200 for couples or families."

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said he approved the recommendation from the Department of Emergency Services, which had estimated more than $2.4 million in public assets, primarily roads, in these areas.

"The joint State and Commonwealth-funded Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) are activated for separate events. For these 10 local government areas, NDRRA is being activated as a result of storm activity from 3 to 7 February," Mr Roberts said.