Disaster assistance extended after Tropical Cyclon...

Extra help has been made available for communities in far north and western Queensland to speed up their recovery from Severe Tropical Cyclone Trevor and its aftermath.

Minister for Emergency Management and North Queensland Recovery Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said assistance was being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-Queensland Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Minister Reynolds said the extent of damage caused by TC Trevor continued to be realised.

“Today’s extension of the DRFA will see additional areas in Cook Shire now able to access assistance to alleviate personal hardship and assist with the safe reconnection of essential services,” Minister Reynolds said.

“This includes emergency hardship assistance payments of up to $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five or more for food, clothing, emergency accommodation or medical supplies.

“In addition to the hardship payments, eligible homeowners in Cook will be able to access Essential Services Safety and Reconnection payments of up to $5000 to inspect and/or repair damaged uninsured essential services including electricity, gas, water, sewerage and septic systems.”

Mr Crawford said that although ex-TC Trevor was bringing much-needed rain to some western districts, others were experiencing their second major flood event in as many months.

“The local government areas of Boulia Shire Council, Cloncurry Shire Council and Diamantina Shire Council, which have only just started the mop-up from February’s monsoon floods, will now also be able to access funds to help alleviate operational costs and assist with the cost of clean-up and repairs from Trevor,” Mr Crawford said.

“It’s essential we provide support and assistance to communities that are dealing with an unprecedented wet season, hot on the heels of a devastating drought.

“Our focus is to ensure that those communities affected by TC Trevor and its aftermath are able to get on to the road to recovery as quickly as possible.”

DRFA assistance measures are now available to assist with the recovery from Severe Tropical Cyclone Trevor and the associated low-pressure system in Aurukun, Boulia, Cook, Cloncurry, Diamantina and Lockhart River.

Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Queensland Government’s Disaster Management website at www.disaster.qld.gov.au and the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Nicky Hamer 0466 535 875 (Minister Reynolds)

Bernadette Condren 0417 296 116 (Minister Crawford)