More disaster support for northern Queensland communities

Further disaster funding is available for northern Queensland communities as monsoonal rain and flooding continues to impact the region.

The new assistance includes Personal Hardship Assistance for residents of Urandangi in Boulia Shire, and loans for primary producers and small businesses in Burke, Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Doomadgee, Mornington and Mount Isa local government areas.

Personal Hardship Assistance provides $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five to cover the costs of essential items such as food, clothing and medicine.

Primary producers and small businesses can apply for loans of up to $250,000 to repair or replace damaged buildings, plant, equipment or livestock, and up to $100,000 for working capital to continue doing business.

Support for counter disaster operations and the reconstruction of essential public assets has also been extended to Cairns Regional Council and Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council.

The Queensland Government has helped with the evacuation of residents in Burketown and continues to assist with transporting supplies to isolated communities.

Since arriving in December 2022, the Northern and Central Queensland Monsoon and Flooding event has caused significant damage to communities and road infrastructure across the region.

Currently, 41 LGAs are activated to receive support through joint federal and state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

For more information on Personal Hardship Assistance and the Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme, contact the Queensland Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 or visit www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp.

Primary producers and small businesses seeking a loan can call the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) on 1800 623 946.