Disaster loans and hardship assistance available for western Queensland

The Australian and Queensland Governments have ramped up their support efforts for western Queensland communities in response to record-breaking floods that have swamped the region.

Disaster loans, freight subsidies and Personal Hardship Assistance are the latest support measures to be activated for flood hit outback communities under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

The loans are available to eligible primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profits in the local government areas of Barcoo, Boulia, Bulloo, Diamantina, Longreach, Murweh, Paroo, Quilpie, and Winton.

This includes up to $250,000 for farmers and businesses, and up to $100,000 for not-for-profits, to assist with the repair or replacement of damaged assets, for loss of income, and to maintain liquidity while restoring full operations.

Farmers in the nine activated LGAs listed above can also access freight subsidies up to $5,000.

This money can be used to assist with the movement of stock, feed, machinery, fuel, water, and building or fencing materials.

Additionally, eligible flood impacted residents in the LGAs of Barcoo, Bulloo, Longreach, Paroo, Quilpie, and Winton can apply for Personal Hardship Assistance to support their immediate disaster recovery needs.

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

Other hardship assistance available can help replace damaged household contents such as whitegoods and linen, and can provide funds to residents who have been without essential services for more than five days.

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 up to $80,000 to repair a damaged home to a safe and habitable standard.

Applications for Personal Hardship Assistance can be made via www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp or by calling the Queensland Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

For disaster loans please visit www.qrida.qld.gov.au or phone 1800 623 946, and for freight subsidies head to www.daf.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.

Further details on disaster assistance can be found via the Queensland Reconstruction Authority website and the Australian Government's Disaster Assist website.

With the flood emergency still a dynamic situation, the Queensland Reconstruction Authority is communicating daily with councils, producers and communities to understand impacts on the ground and what assistance is required to help them get back on their feet.