More disaster assistance extended to North Queensland communities

Joint media release with the Hon Ann Leahy MP

• Personal Hardship Assistance payments expanded to eligible flood affected residents in Hinchinbrook and Palm Island Council areas, with flood affected Townsville and Gordonvale residents in targeted areas also eligible.
• Includes Emergency Hardship Assistance Grants of $180 per person, up to $900 for a family of five or more.
• Financial support also extended to Cassowary Coast, Hinchinbrook and Tablelands Councils for their response and recovery efforts, with Townsville, Burdekin, Palm Island and Cairns Councils already accessing support.

Disaster assistance has been extended to more north Queenslanders affected by the devastating rains and flooding that continues to bear down on the region.

Eligible residents in the local government areas of Hinchinbrook and Palm Island can now apply for Personal Hardship Assistance to assist their recovery.

Grants of $180 for individuals and up to $900 for families of five or more are available for emergency essentials, while other targeted measures cover loss of services, replacement of damaged appliances, and property structural repairs for uninsured low-income earners.

Cassowary Coast, Hinchinbrook and Tablelands Councils have also been activated for financial support to assist with their counter disaster operations and the reconstruction of essential public assets.

This assistance is provided by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the joint Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and follows the activation of Personal Hardship Assistance for parts of Townsville and Gordonvale.

Eligible residents can apply via Disaster support and recovery or by calling the Queensland Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister said the funding would help communities respond, recover and rebuild.

“North Queenslanders are showing great resilience in adverse conditions, and this support will help strengthen their resolve further,” Minister McAllister said.

“Although monsoonal rain is a fact of life in northern Australia, it does not lessen the terrible impacts when rivers become torrents and streets go underwater.

“Extending financial assistance to more residents affected by these floods shows our steadfast commitment to helping Queenslanders recover from extreme weather.

“This funding is about getting people back on their feet and keeping councils and communities moving forward.”

Queensland Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy said DRFA Personal Hardship Assistance was an important mechanism to get money in the pockets of Queenslanders severely affected by disaster events.

“This funding will cover emergency essentials like food, clothing and medicine,” Minister Leahy said.

“It can also assist those impacted with replacing damaged whitegoods, reconnecting services, and repairing damaged dwellings, depending on a person’s eligibility.

“I urge flood affected Hinchinbrook and Palm Island residents, and those residing in activated areas of Townsville and Gordonvale, to visit the Queensland Disaster Recovery Support website or call 1800 173 349 to check their eligibility and apply.

“The Queensland Government will continue working closely with the Commonwealth and councils to get all required disaster support out to communities in need.”

Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme

• Emergency Hardship Assistance Grants – $180 per person, up to $900 for a family of five or more to purchase immediate essentials like food, clothing and medicine.
• 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.
• Structural Assistance Grants – up to $80,000 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 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.

Learn more about DRFA assistance at Disaster Assist or Queensland Reconstruction Authority.