With the effects of ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily still being felt across Queensland, more communities impacted by the severe weather can access jointly funded disaster assistance through Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Flood affected residents in the Hinchinbrook LGA and the targeted areas of Hervey Range in Charters Towers, Kynuna and McKinlay in McKinlay Shire, and Warra in the Western Downs can apply for financial support through the Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme.
This includes grants of $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five or more to cover the costs of essentials like food, clothing and medicine, and other measures to help eligible residents make their homes safe and to reconnect essential services.
The councils of Charters Towers, Cloncurry, Lockyer Valley, Townsville and Winton have also been activated for DRFA support to assist with counter disaster operations and the reconstruction of essential public assets, while Palm Island will receive support as well to repair or rebuild any damaged roads and bridges.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt:
"Across Queensland we are witnessing increasing impacts due to flooding from ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily," Minister Watt said.
"The town of McKinlay is currently isolated by floodwaters and residents in Kynuna had to be evacuated to Cloncurry on Monday ahead of Julia Creek overtopping its banks.
"Personal Hardship Assistance boosts disaster recovery by helping people cover the costs of what they need, when they need it most.
"We're also backing councils hardest hit by this disaster, helping to relieve some of the financial pressure so they can focus on responding and rebuilding."
Quotes attributable to minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Nikki Boyd:
"The activation of Personal Hardship Assistance will help those hurting right now," Ms Boyd said.
"Eligible Queenslanders can now apply through www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp or by calling the Queensland Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.
While the full scope of damage continues to be assessed, the extension of this disaster assistance will help communities right away.
"This is an unpredictable weather system, but we can and will do whatever is needed to help Queenslanders get through this."
Additional information on assistance available:
Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme
- Emergency Hardship Assistance Grants – $180 per person, up to $900 for a family of five or more to support immediate essential needs such as food, clothing or medical supplies.
- Structural Assistance Grants – up to $50,000 for uninsured, income-tested owner-occupiers towards the repair or replacement of a disaster damaged dwelling to return it to a safe and habitable condition.
- Essential Services Hardship Assistance – $150 per person, up to $750 for a family of five or more to assist with immediate needs following the loss of essential services at home for more than five consecutive days.
- Essential Household Contents Grants – up to $1,765 for individuals and up to $5,300 for couples or families to replace destroyed essential household contents such as bed linen and white goods.
Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme
- Income-tested grants to help uninsured residents reconnect damaged services like electricity, gas, water or sewerage. Up to $5,000 per household.
Reconstruction of Essential Public Assets
- Reimbursement for the reconstruction of eligible public assets, damaged as a direct result of a disaster. This includes emergency repairs and immediate, permanent rebuild to pre-disaster function.
Counter Disaster Operations
- To help councils and state agencies with activities that alleviate personal hardship and distress, address urgent community needs, and protect residents immediately prior to, during, or in the aftermath of a disaster.
To learn more about DRFA support, including a summary of assistance activated in response to ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily, head to the Queensland Reconstruction Authority website.
