Disaster assistance has been extended to the Local Government Area (LGA) of Longreach as the extent of the ongoing floods in Western Queensland continues to be realised.
Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-Queensland Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to 13 LGA in Western Queensland.
Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said as the floods continue to expand throughout Western Queensland, even more communities will need support in their local recovery.
"Longreach Regional Council is the latest LGA in Western Queensland to require assistance as the impacts of these floods move downstream," Minister McKenzie said.
"Numerous roads have been closed in Longreach, further isolating a community that is already remote.
"Approximately one third of Queensland, from Burke in the North to Bulloo on the South Australian and New South Wales border, have been inundated by this widespread flooding, and we anticipate significant clean-up will be required when the floodwaters recede.
"This assistance extends funding to Longreach to help with the large-scale clean-up operation required when waters recede. It will also go towards repairing damaged roads and other vital public infrastructure that is essential to remote and rural communities," Minister McKenzie said.
Queensland Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan said as the Queensland disaster season continued the state and Commonwealth were working together to ensure assistance was available to every affected community.
"42 of Queensland's 77 LGAs have been activated for disaster assistance to date as a result of widespread flooding throughout much of the state over this summer disaster season," Minister Ryan said.
"I want to assure the Longreach community that they will not be left to shoulder the burden of flood recovery on their own.
"This funding will help alleviate the cost of counter disaster operations such as sand-bagging and debris clearing and repair essential public assets such as roads, culverts and floodways.
"The Australian and Queensland governments will continue to work together to support the long-term recovery of all communities impacted by the Western Queensland floods," Minister Ryan said.
DRFA assistance is now available in 13 Local Government Areas in Western Queensland in response to the floods: Barcoo, Boulia, Bulloo, Burke, Cloncurry, Diamantina, Flinders, Longreach, McKinlay, Mount Isa, Paroo, Quilpie and Winton.
Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government's website at www.disasterassist.gov.au and the Queensland Reconstruction Authority's website at www.qra.qld.gov.au.
