Disaster assistance extended to more Townsville suburbs and NQ councils

As the flood crisis in north Queensland continues, more eligible residents whose properties have been impacted can now access Personal Hardship Assistance from the Australian and Queensland Governments.

Another 26 localities in Townsville have been activated for support, including Alligator Creek, Arcadia, Black River, Blue Hills, Bluewater, Bluewater Park, Cape Cleveland, Clemant, Crystal Creek, Cungulla, Florence Bay, Gumlow, Horseshoe Bay, Lynam, Majors Creek, Mutarnee, Nelly Bay, Nome, Paluma, Picnic Bay, Rollingstone, Saunders Beach, Toolakea, Toomulla, West Point and Yabulu.

This includes Emergency Hardship Assistance Grants of $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five or more to cover essentials like food, clothing and medicine.

Other support can fund the replacement of damaged household items like whitegoods and linen, or if a property has lost power for five days or more.

Uninsured residents may also be entitled to income-tested grants up to $5,000 per household to inspect and reconnect damaged services like electricity, gas and water, or Structural Assistance Grants to repair a damaged dwelling to a safe and habitable condition.

Eligible residents can apply via www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp or by calling the Queensland Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

Although the rain has eased right now more is on the way, and the effects of widespread flooding continue to be felt across the region.

Damage assessments to determine where further assistance is required are ongoing, with the list of eligible locations being constantly reviewed.

The new 26 Townsville localities eligible for the Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme add to the previously announced targeted areas of Townsville, Burdekin, Cassowary Coast and Gordonvale, and the LGAs of Hinchinbrook and Palm Island.

DRFA support has also just been activated for Charters Towers and Whitsunday Regional Councils, allowing them to claim back the costs of counter disaster operations and the reconstruction of essential public assets.

Other councils to receive DRFA assistance for their response and recovery efforts in response to this North and Far North Tropical Low event include Burdekin, Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Hinchinbrook, Palm Island, Tablelands, Townsville and Yarrabah.

All assistance is jointly funded through the Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).