South-east Queensland storms trigger disaster assistance

Disaster assistance is now available for two south-east Queensland local government areas recovering from recent storm impacts.

Support for clean-up and infrastructure repairs has been activated for Brisbane City Council, while counselling support can be accessed by Toowoomba residents in three localities.

Assistance through the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) has been triggered after wild storms tore through the south-east on 26 October.

The weather event marks the first DRFA disaster activation in Queensland for 2025-26, and proved an intense reminder of how quickly weather conditions can change in the state.

The support will boost Brisbane City Council’s recovery efforts, allowing them to recoup the costs of community clean-up and repairing damaged roads and other essential public assets.

Eligible works include removing debris, clearing culverts and drains, emergency road repairs and the reconstruction of failed assets, and activities to maintain public safety.

Toowoomba residents in Clifton, Greenmount and Nobby who were affected by the storms can seek assistance for any personal and financial difficulties suffered.

Those in need of counselling can contact the Queensland Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 or visit www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp.

Queensland communities can be confident that when they are impacted by severe weather events, funding through the DRFA will help bring relief and repair damages.

The DRFA in Queensland is managed by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, the state's lead agency for disaster recovery and resilience.