Following extreme monsoonal rainfall and flooding across Northern and Central Queensland, the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) has made disaster assistance funds available to more local councils.
Following the extension, the DRFA is now available in 33 local government areas in Queensland: Aurukun, Barcaldine, Barcoo, Blackall-Tambo, Boulia, Burdekin, Burke, Carpentaria, Cassowary Coast, Cloncurry, Cook, Croydon, Diamantina, Doomadgee, Douglas, Etheridge, Flinders, Kowanyama, Lockhart River, Longreach, Mackay, Mapoon, Mareeba, Mornington, Mount Isa, Napranum, Northern Peninsula Area, Palm Island, Pormpuraaw, Tablelands, Townsville, Whitsunday, and Winton.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt, said this assistance will provide financial support for counter disaster operations aimed at public safety and the restoration of essential public assets.
“The deluge caused disruption across many parts of Northern and Central Queensland with many local and state roads damaged and closed until waters recede,” Mr Watt said.
“Through this assistance, affected councils can have comfort in knowing they will be supported to provide their communities with the counter disaster operations required, as well as to restore vital public infrastructure like roads and bridges.
“Providing this assistance now will mean that as soon as flood waters recede in these areas, communities can start to recover, assess the damage, and rebuild from these severe weather events.”
Queensland Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, Mark Ryan, said the monsoon rainfall and major flooding has caused dangerous conditions from Aurukun in the north to the Blackall-Tambo region in Central Queensland.
“There have been reports of 400mm in the Aurukun region, up to 300mm in the Blackall-Tambo region, and reports of 600mm in the Flinders Shire,” Mr Ryan said.
“There are likely to be stock losses in some remote regions, with many properties cut off and property owners set to be stranded at stations for the coming weeks.
“It’s important Queensland communities know that all impacted local government areas are being supported, no matter how remote, with assistance to clean-up and recover.”
