As flooding continues across North Queensland, the federal and state governments have extended personal hardship payments to residents in Burdekin and Cassowary Coast.
This is in an extension to support already made available to eligible residents in Gordonvale, Hinchinbrook, Palm Island, Tablelands and Townsville.
Support measures include grants of $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five or more to cover the costs of emergency essentials like food, clothing and medicine.
Other assistance available to eligible individuals can help replace damaged household contents such as whitegoods and linen, reconnect essential services, and repair damaged property.
Financial support to cover the costs of disaster response and the repair of damaged public assets like roads and bridges has also been activated for Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council.
These support measures are funded by the Federal and Queensland Governments through the federal-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Jenny McAllister, said that the past weekend has been exceptionally difficult for people of north Queensland.
“North Queenslanders are showing great resilience in very difficult conditions, and the Federal Government will continue working hand in glove with the State Government through this event and into recovery,” Minister McAllister said.
“Extending Personal Hardship Assistance to eligible residents in Burdekin and Cassowary Coast will ensure more people are supported and unlocking funds for Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council will support their clean up and rebuild.”
Queensland Minister for Disaster Recovery, Ann Leahy, said that the extension of DRFA Personal Hardship Assistance will provide direct financial aid to more impacted residents.
“If you are in the Burdekin or Cassowary Coast council areas and have been directly affected by these terrible floods, DRFA assistance is there to give you a helping hand,” Minister Leahy said.
“The Federal and Queensland Governments stand ready to activate more DRFA support as the waters eventually subside and the full scale of this disaster is revealed.”
