Published Tuesday, 03 February, 2009 at 07:35 PM
Minister for Emergency Services
The Honourable Neil Roberts
DAMAGE BILL REACHES $109 MILLION
Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts has tonight announced the estimated damage bill for recent severe weather in the state’s north and north-west has topped $109 million.
It comes after the Burdekin, Isaac, Mackay and Whitsunday councils were declared eligible for joint state and federally funded Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangement (NDRRA) assistance – bringing the total number of shires disaster declared to 35.
“The estimated damage bill in these council areas is around $2 million, mainly to roads and other public infrastructure,” Mr Roberts said.
“It brings the total damage bill across Queensland to $109 million.
“And with flooding in and around Ingham caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie continuing, that figure is likely to rise even further.”
The Hinchinbrook Shire (Ingham) was already declared eligible for NDRRA assistance after Cyclone Charlotte dumped monsoonal rain in the region last month.
The Department of Communities will be setting up a Community Recovery Centre at the Royal Hotel on Lannercost Street in Ingham tomorrow where affected residents can access information and emergency financial assistance.
Local government areas already eligible for NDRRA are: 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, Mapoon, Mornington, McKinlay, Mount Isa, Pormpuraaw, Richmond, Tablelands, Townsville, Winton and Yarrabah.
Sixty-two per cent of the state, or more than 1 million square kilometres is now disaster declared.
Flood warnings remain current for the Diamantina, Haughton, Georgina, Herbert, Tully, Pioneer and Murray rivers as well as the Nicholson, Leichardt, Cloncurry, Flinders, Norman and Eyre Creek.
“Any individual suffering personal hardship as a result of the storms and associated flooding should call the Department of Communities for assistance on 1800 173 349,” Mr Roberts said.
“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.”
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.
The NDRRA has been extended to provide concessional loans to small businesses for carry-on and re-establishment costs to help small business and assist their recovery.
Media contact: Scott Chandler on 0488 096 204
It comes after the Burdekin, Isaac, Mackay and Whitsunday councils were declared eligible for joint state and federally funded Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangement (NDRRA) assistance – bringing the total number of shires disaster declared to 35.
“The estimated damage bill in these council areas is around $2 million, mainly to roads and other public infrastructure,” Mr Roberts said.
“It brings the total damage bill across Queensland to $109 million.
“And with flooding in and around Ingham caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie continuing, that figure is likely to rise even further.”
The Hinchinbrook Shire (Ingham) was already declared eligible for NDRRA assistance after Cyclone Charlotte dumped monsoonal rain in the region last month.
The Department of Communities will be setting up a Community Recovery Centre at the Royal Hotel on Lannercost Street in Ingham tomorrow where affected residents can access information and emergency financial assistance.
Local government areas already eligible for NDRRA are: 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, Mapoon, Mornington, McKinlay, Mount Isa, Pormpuraaw, Richmond, Tablelands, Townsville, Winton and Yarrabah.
Sixty-two per cent of the state, or more than 1 million square kilometres is now disaster declared.
Flood warnings remain current for the Diamantina, Haughton, Georgina, Herbert, Tully, Pioneer and Murray rivers as well as the Nicholson, Leichardt, Cloncurry, Flinders, Norman and Eyre Creek.
“Any individual suffering personal hardship as a result of the storms and associated flooding should call the Department of Communities for assistance on 1800 173 349,” Mr Roberts said.
“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.”
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.
The NDRRA has been extended to provide concessional loans to small businesses for carry-on and re-establishment costs to help small business and assist their recovery.
Media contact: Scott Chandler on 0488 096 204