DISASTER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR CYCLONE IMPACTED COMMUNITIES IN FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND

Published Wednesday, 06 January, 2021 at 01:36 PM

Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services
The Honourable Mark Ryan

As Ex-Tropical Cyclone Imogen continues to track across the Cape York Peninsula, disaster assistance is available to local councils to recover and rebuild from major flooding in its wake.

Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Federal Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud said the DRFA assistance will provide financial support to aid recovery in Carpentaria, Croydon, Etheridge and Mornington Shires.

"These remote councils up in Gulf Country have reported impacts from the floods such as uprooted trees, road damage from swollen rivers and isolation due to flooded access points, which has required a multi-agency response," Minister Littleproud said.

“The joint Commonwealth and State funded DRFA will provide financial support for counter disaster operations and restoration of essential public assets, so these communities can get back on their feet sooner.”

Queensland Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan said clean-up operations were ongoing in flood-affected regions across the north of the state.

“SInce Tropical Cyclone Imogen made landfall on Sunday night just north of Karumba and slowly travelled across Cape York, many impacts have been felt by residents of the Far North,” Minister Ryan said.

“Normanton airport recorded 259mm overnight on Sunday, with 186mm falling in just three hours.

“The heavy and persistent rainfall driven by the now Ex-Tropical Cyclone Imogen has caused widespread flooding, with damage to public infrastructure and road closures across much of North Queensland.

“This DRFA funding will assist with the recovery from this latest event and alleviate the financial burden on these impacted councils.

“The Commonwealth and Queensland Governments are working together to ensure all impacted communities receive the recovery support they need.”

Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au and the Queensland Government’s Disaster Management website at www.disaster.qld.gov.au.  

Media Contact:

Minister Littleproud: Douglas Ferguson, 0455 448 985

Minister Ryan: Phil Willmington, 0411 535 180