More food drops for isolated communities

The Mornington Island community will receive a re-supply of food tomorrow (Friday 23 January).

Member for Mt Isa Betty Kiernan said Mornington Island had its last delivery almost two weeks ago, because the roads were cut off due to flooding.

“A Dash 8 plane will leave Cairns at midday tomorrow, and fly 4,000 kilograms of food and toiletries into the community.

“This is expected to provide the island with enough food until normal barge services resume next week,” she said.

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said a barge was also leaving Cairns for Karumba tomorrow, which is expected to arrive next Wednesday (28 January).

“The barge re-supply will include 1,300 kilograms of food for Karumba, and 6,000 kilograms of food for Normanton.

“Plans are underway to re-supply Coen and Burketown next week,” he said.

Roads leading into Karumba, which is the drop-off point for supplies to Mornington Island, are expected to be closed for another four weeks.

Flood warnings are current for Diamantina, Georgina, Nicholson, Gregory, Cloncurry, Flinders and Norman Rivers, and Eyre Creek.

More than 56 per cent, or 975,794 square kilometres of Queensland is now eligible for disaster relief funding, almost equivalent in size to South Australia. It is a total of $62.5 million of damage, mainly to public infrastructure, such as roads.

Mr Roberts again urged any individuals who have suffered personal hardship as a result of the storms and associated flooding, to call the Department of Communities for assistance, on 1800 173 349.

“Personal hardship grants of $165 per person and up to $765 per family may be available for directly impacted residents who have been unable to recover via their own means,” he said.

Mean-tested Essential Household Contents Grants are also 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.

Concessional loans to small businesses for carry-on and re-establishment costs to help small business and assist their recovery are also available through Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority.

Thirty local government areas are eligible for Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA): Aurukun, Barcoo, Barcaldine, Boulia, Burke, Carpentaria, Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Charters Towers, Cloncurry, Cook, Croydon, Diamantina, Doomadgee, Etheridge, Flinders, Hinchinbrook, Hopevale, Kowanyama, Lockhart River, Northern Peninsular Area, McKinlay, Mapoon, Mornington, Mount Isa, Pormpuraaw, Richmond, Tablelands, Townsville and Winton.