Lugger home, car ruined by raging water

been restoring it,” he said. “Floodwater has gone right through the hull and wrecked everything inside.”

Along with boat parts, paperwork and all of his personal belongings, the 60-yearold pensioner’s Holden Commodore ute and the boat’s motor were flooded in a nearby shed.

“A couple of mechanic friends have told me the ute’s probably a write-off and being on the pension I’m struggling to replace the stuff,” he said.

“Most of the spare money in my pension usually goes towards paint and other bits and pieces for the restoration.”

Mr Thompson, who has lived on the boat since January last year, said he first heard about the lugger in 2015, when he was living in Western Australia.

“The boat was just sitting there at the marina deteriorating, so I flew over ... it’s a bit of a passion of mine, I’ve done up a couple of others before.”

Financial assistance and support services have now been extended to people in the Far North who have been directly affected by flooding.

“As flood waters start to recede, the extent of the flooding across the Cassowary Coast region has become clearer,” Communities Minister Coralee O’Rourke said.

“We know that many Innisfail residents have been badly affected by this flooding and will need Emergency Hardship Grants to help meet their immediate needs.”

For information on Emergency Hardship Grants and other available assistance, download the Self Recovery app, visit www.communityrecovery.qld.gov.au or call the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.