Personal hardship assistance extended for north Queensland, and freight subsidies activated

Residents isolated by flooding in Camooweal, 190km north-west of Mount Isa, can now access Personal Hardship Assistance provided by the Queensland Government.

This support provides $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five or more to cover the costs of essential items such as food, clothing and medicine.

The Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme has also been activated for Camooweal residents, a means tested relief measure to help uninsured homeowners repair damaged services like electricity, gas and water.

Meanwhile, primary producers in Burke, Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Doomadgee and Mount Isa are eligible for freight subsidies of up to $5,000 to move stock, feed, machinery and other operational necessities.

Late last week more than 530mm of rain fell in 48 hours across the Nicholson, Gregory and Leichardt River catchments.

This has contributed to record-breaking floods across the Gulf and northern Queensland.

Work will continue across all levels of governments to help some of Queensland’s most remote residents and the primary producers that operate in the region.

Assistance is being provide through the jointly funded Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

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

Primary producers applying for freight subsidies can call the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries on 13 25 23 or visit www.daf.qld.gov.au.