Financial assistance and support services are now available to residents, primary producers, small businesses and state and local governments have been affected by recent flooding.
Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-Queensland Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Emergency Hardship Assistance grants are available to residents in the Burdekin, Burke, Carpentaria, Charters Towers, Cloncurry, Cook, Douglas, Flinders, Hinchinbrook, McKinlay, Palm Island, Richmond, Townsville, Winton and Wujal Wujal council areas to help cover the costs of essential items, such as food, medication and clothing, for people in these areas who have been directly impacted by this monsoonal trough.
Up to $180 per person, to a maximum of $900 for a family of five or more, is provided to people experiencing genuine financial hardship as a result of flooding.
While, Essential Services Safety and Reconnection grants are also available to contribute towards safety inspections and repairs to residential essential services including electricity, gas, water and sewerage.
Affected residents can go to www.communityrecovery.qld.gov.au or download the Self Recovery app for information or to apply for grants, including Emergency Hardship Grants.
People without internet access can ring the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 to apply for grants and for advice on how to access to support services over the phone.
Relief measures have also been implemented to help small businesses impacted by flooding in the Burdekin, Burke, Carpentaria, Charters Towers, Cloncurry, Croydon, Douglas, Etheridge, Flinders, Hinchinbrook, McKinlay, Richmond, Townsville and Winton council areas.
The disaster assistance includes concessional loans of up to $250,000 and essential working capital loans of up to $100,000 for small businesses in eligible local government area.
Small business owners impacted by flooding can call the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) on 1800 623 946 for assistance and information on the concessional loans that are available.
The Queensland Department of Employment, Small Business and Training is collecting data through an online survey to help us understand the impact on affected businesses and what assistance is required.
Small businesses are encouraged to have their say to ensure they get the help that’s needed. Access the North Queensland monsoon event survey at www.business.qld.gov.au/.
Not for profit organisations in the Burdekin, Cloncurry, Douglas, Flinders, Hinchinbrook, McKinlay, Richmond and Townsville council areas can also access financial support and assistance to assist with the recovery process.
The disaster assistance includes concessional loans of up to $100,000 and essential working capital loans of up to $100,000.
Special Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants of $50,000 are also available for small businesses and not for profits organisations in affected areas.
Affected business owners and not-for-profit operators can now apply for the funding though Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority.
For a list of available assistance see below, or for more information about disaster assistance and community recovery efforts go to www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies.
For more information on how you can help residents affected by flooding and to make a donation through The Australian Red Cross Society, UnitingCare, Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland and GIVIT please visit www.qld.gov.au/emergency/emergencies-services/help-disaster
Commonwealth-Queensland Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA)
Information current as at 27 February 2019, see here for more information about DRFA assistance measures.
