Personal Hardship payments have been extended to residents in flood impacted areas of Charters Towers and more parts of Cassowary Coast.
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.
The Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme is funded by the Federal and Queensland Governments through the joint federal-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DFRA).
New activated areas include:
Charters Towers: Alabama Hill, Basalt, Black Jack, Breddan, Broughton, Charters Towers City, Columbia, Dotswood, Grand Secret, Greenvale, Hervey Range, Millchester, Mingela, Mosman Park, Paluma, Queenton, Ravenswood, Reid River, Richmond Hill, Southern Cross, Toll, Towers Hill, Valley of Lagoons.
Cassowary Coast: Bilyana, Bingil Bay, Birkalla, Bulgun, remainder of Cardwell, Carmoo, Carruchan, Dingo Pocket, Djarawong, Djiru, Dunk, East Feluga, El Arish, Euramo, Feluga, Friday Pocket, Garners Beach, Granadilla, Gulngai, Hull Heads, Jarra Creek, Lower Tully, Lumholtz, Maadi, Maria Creeks, Merryburn, Midgenoo, Midgeree Bar, Mission Beach, Mount Mackay, Munro Plains, Murray Upper, Murrigal, Rockingham, Shell Pocket, Silky Oak, South Mission Beach, Tam O’Shanter, Tully, Tully Heads, Walter Hill, Warrami, Wongaling Beach.
Cook and Douglas Councils are also now eligible for DRFA assistance to fund their counter disaster operations and the reconstruction of essential public assets in response to the North and Far North Tropical Low disaster event.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Jenny McAllister, said that extending financial support to more north Queenslanders will provide an immediate helping hand.
“This Personal Hardship Assistance for targeted areas of Charters Towers and Cassowary Coast offers impacted residents quick relief in response to these record rainfalls,” Minister McAllister said.
“It’s in addition to the Cassowary Coast areas of Cardwell, Damper Creek, Ellerbeck and Kennedy already announced, as well as targeted localities in Townsville, Burdekin and Gordonvale, and the LGAs of Hinchinbrook and Palm Island.
“The threat of this severe weather system remains with us and while it does, we’ll keep activating the support Queenslanders require.”
Queensland Minister for Disaster Recovery, Ann Leahy, said that all levels of government were working tirelessly to help communities.
“The safety of our people and getting support where it needs to go fast. That’s our shared focus right now,” Minister Leahy said.
“I acknowledge the great work of impacted councils, our state agencies, the federal government, and non-government services in response to this disaster, and of course every Queenslander digging in to help family, friends and strangers alike.
“Efficient and effective response and recovery is only possible when we’re all pushing forward together, and the united spirit of our state is on full display.”
Eligible residents can apply for Personal Hardship Assistance by visiting www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp
