TC Jasper disaster assistance extended to more FNQ communities

Disaster assistance for Tropical Cyclone Jasper has now been extended to more areas, to help residents and local Councils cover response and reconstruction costs.

The Federal and Queensland Governments have activated further support under jointly funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Residents of Yarrabah can also apply for the Personal Hardship Assistance grants of $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five or more, available to cover the costs of essentials like food, clothing and medicine.

The Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme is also available to help eligible Yarrabah homeowners reconnect electricity, gas, water or sewerage.

The councils of Mareeba, Tablelands and Yarrabah can also now access funding for counter disaster operations and the reconstruction of essential public assets such as roads, bridges and floodways.

These new measures are in addition to the support activated on Thursday which provided Personal Hardship Assistance grants to impacted residents in Douglas and Wujal Wujal, and some Council support for Cairns, Cook, Douglas, Hopevale, Wujal Wujal and Yarrabah.

Quotes attributable to Acting Federal Minister for Emergency Management Madeleine King:

“As Tropical Cyclone Jasper moves into the Gulf we’re getting on with the job of providing more assistance to areas in need.

“Today’s announcement means the local government areas of Mareeba, Tablelands and Yarrabah can recoup the costs associated with disaster cleanup and repair damage caused by the event under joint Commonwealth-state funding arrangements.

“Residents of Yarrabah who have been directly affected by Tropical Cyclone Jasper can also access personal hardship payments to purchase food, medicine and clothing.

“We will continue to work with the Queensland Government to extend the DRFA where needed to ensure the Far North region recovers as soon as possible, and I commend all emergency services, state agencies and councils for their efforts on the ground.”

Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Cameron Dick:

“As severe weather continues to hit Far North Queensland, the Queensland and Australian Governments are now providing assistance to eight local government areas following Tropical Cyclone Jasper,” Mr Dick said.

“The extension of this assistance to Mareeba, Tablelands and Yarrabah follows previously announced support measures for Cairns, Cook, Douglas, Hope Vale and Wujal Wujal.

“I ask all Queenslanders to continue following the advice of their local council and emergency authorities as we assess the ongoing damage in the aftermath of this cyclone.

“Through the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, we’ll continue to stay in close contact with all impacted councils and provide every bit of help needed.”

Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme:

• Emergency Hardship Assistance Grant – provides assistance as a contribution to support people directly impacted by an eligible disaster to meet their immediate essential needs for food, clothing, medical supplies or temporary accommodation.
• Essential Services Hardship Assistance – provides assistance for people directly impacted by an eligible disaster to meet their immediate needs where they have experienced the loss of one or more essential services for more than five days.
• Essential Household Contents Grant – provides a contribution towards replacing or repairing essential household contents, such as beds, linen and whitegoods that have been lost or damaged by an eligible disaster.

• Structural Assistance Grant – provides a contribution towards repairs or replacement of a dwelling damaged by an eligible disaster, to return it to a safe, habitable and secure condition.

Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme:

To assist residents with the inspection and reconnection of essential services that have been damaged by an eligible disaster. The scheme provides financial assistance to individuals and families as a contribution towards safety inspections of and repairs to residential essential services (i.e. electricity, gas, water and sewerage) damaged by an eligible disaster.

Further information on disaster assistance can be found at www.disasterassist.gov.au or www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp.

People requiring immediate assistance can contact the Queensland Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

To learn more about DRFA support head to the Queensland Reconstruction Authority website.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Federal Emergency Management Minister’s office: Tali Eley 0499 770 772

Deputy Premier: Geoff Breusch 0417 272 875