Continuing support for communities impacted by the Queensland bushfires

8 November 2023

It has been an intense few weeks with bushfires raging across Queensland, from the New South Wales border to the Far North. Since 21 October there have over 1,000 vegetation fires reported around the state.

Unfortunately, one life has been lost in the fires and more than 70 houses, 50 sheds and 11 mobile properties have been destroyed. It is estimated 729 kilometres of fencing, 32 kilometres of private roads and 301 kilometres of levees and channels have also been damaged.

The Australian and Queensland Governments have responded quickly to the fire emergency with the activation of the jointly funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to help impacted local governments and their communities recover from the fires.

Fundamental to DRFA assistance is the work of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) in assisting local governments and state agencies identify their immediate disaster response and medium-to-long-term recovery needs. 

Fifteen eligible Queensland local governments and their communities and primary producers can now apply for financial support through a range of DRFA assistance programs.

Counter disaster operation assistance, for example, allows impacted local governments to immediately conduct activities like firefighting and the stand up of evacuation centres, helping protect the general public and ensuring ongoing safety.

Personal Hardship Assistance is available to eligible residents, providing $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five to cover the costs of essential items like food, clothing and medicine.

Uninsured residents can also access income-tested grants up to $5,000 per household through the Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme to reconnect damaged services such as electricity, gas and water.

Primary producers in nine LGAs, from Gladstone and Central Highlands south to Southern Downs, can now apply for concessional and working capital loans to help replace or repair damaged assets, and to continue doing business.

These impacted producers can also apply for freight subsidies to assist with the transport of livestock, fodder, water, building materials, equipment or machinery.

With hot, dry and blustery conditions arriving early this year it’s setting up to be a long summer, and the risk of further fires is very real.

For more information on DRFA activations and disaster assistance available please visit the following pages and sites: