Two more councils disaster-declared – early damage assessment nears $50 million

Cook and Barcaldine Shire Councils are the 20^th and 21^st local government areas eligible to receive Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA), with the latest damage assessments totalling $49.4 million across the state.

“The Department of Main Roads has reported significant damage to the Peninsula Development road in Cook, as a result of heavy rainfalls and road submergence,” Treasurer and Acting Emergency Services Minister Andrew Fraser said.

“Initial damage estimates in both areas are low but local government and state agencies have reported significant counter disaster operation costs and possible cases of personal hardship and loss.”

While the damage estimate sits at $49.4 million, its too early to definitively assess the extent of the damage.

Under the joint commonwealth and state funded NDRRA activation, individuals can apply for a number of different personal hardship grants, which include $165 per person and up to $765 per family for directly impacted residents who have been unable to recover via their own means.

Mean-tested Essential Household Contents Grants are also be available for some residents.

This can be up to $1,635 for an individual applicant, or $4,910 for a couple or family.

Mean-tested Repairs and Replacement of Dwellings assistance may also be available of up to $10,100 for eligible individuals and up to $13,600 for eligible couples or families.

“I commend the resilience of the people of far north Queensland – but I urge anyone who is suffering as a result of the weather to contact the Department of Communities for assistance,” Mr Fraser said.

More than 51%, or 885,771 square kilometres, of Queensland is eligible for disaster relief funding

Local government area are now eligible for NDRRA. The others are: Cook, Barcaldine, Barcoo, Boulia, Burke, Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Diamantina, Doomadgee, Etheridge, Flinders, McKinlay, Mount Isa, Richmond, Winton, Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Croydon, Tablelands, Townsville and Hinchinbrook.

Media contact: Treasurer’s office – 32246361 or 32245982