Switch flicked on disaster funding for Scenic Rim and Banana

Financial support is now available for the local governments of Scenic Rim and Banana to assist with clean-up and repairs following widespread storms earlier this month.

Jointly funded assistance from the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) will cover each council’s crucial recovery efforts.

Support can be used to recoup the costs of counter disaster operations to maintain public safety, for example debris clean-up, traffic management and sandbagging.

Both councils can also access funds for their emergency road repairs and the reconstruction of essential public assets such as damaged roads and bridges.

Severe storms between 15-18 November resulted in significant impacts across southern Queensland, with heavy rainfall, flooding and high winds significantly affecting council infrastructure in the Scenic Rim and Banana LGAs.

In Banana Shire, flooding caused numerous road closures and inundated essential public assets, with areas around Taroom among the worst affected.

Flash flooding at Kooralbyn in the Scenic Rim LGA resulted in multiple routes cut and substantial damage to the surfaces of many roads, creating dangerous conditions for motorists.

Activating disaster assistance ensures both councils have the funds they need to address essential repairs and cover the costs of all eligible response efforts.

With Queensland’s severe 2025-26 weather season gaining momentum, communities are urged to exercise caution when travelling, particularly on storm-affected roads.

Floodwater can hide damage to a road and carry dangerous debris, so motorists should always follow the advice, if it’s flooded, forget it.

Both the state and federal governments are committed to supporting disaster affected communities wherever they are in Queensland, and through the DRFA will provide all assistance required to recover and rebuild following severe weather.