$26.6 million to speed the recovery of flooded Queensland

Long-term recovery efforts in flood-affected areas of north, north-west, and central Queensland have been boosted by a raft of disaster assistance measures totalling $26.6 million.

Communities, primary producers, and local businesses can access the assistance to aid their efforts to recover, rebuild, and strengthen their resilience against future challenges.

Key recovery initiatives include $11.32 million for primary producers to access financial counselling, pest management, resilience officers, and support for recovery efforts.

Small businesses will benefit from $9.98 million in disaster recovery grants, aimed at clean-up activities, repair work, and restoring operations. 

Communities impacted by the flooding will access $4.26 million for mental health programs targeting vulnerable groups in 15 north, far north, and north-west local government areas (LGAs). 

Additionally, $1 million has been allocated to assist Isaac Regional Council with clean-up, disposing of damaged property, emergency works, and restoring essential services following the extraordinary flooding to hit Clermont and Dysart this week.

All assistance measures are funded through the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), with total funding in response to this event reaching more than $66 million.

Support measures have been activated following the extensive damage caused by the North Queensland Monsoon Trough and ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji, which has brought record rainfall from Christmas and into the new year.

This has seen much of the state’s north turn into an inland sea, washing away livestock, thousands of kilometres of fencing, and causing heartache and misery for many rural and remote communities.

Small businesses impacted by floods across Queensland can access information about grants and eligibility by visiting www.qrida.qld.gov.au or calling 1800 623 946.

A full list of activated LGAs and support measures is available on the Activations page on the Queensland Reconstruction Authority website.