Assistance for flood damage widened

DISASTER assistance has been extended to four additional local government areas of Cloncurry, Douglas, Hope Vale and Mckinlay following the intense rainfall that resulted in far-reaching flooding throughout northern and central-western Queensland last month.

The joint CommonwealthState Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements funding will assist in covering the clean-up and repair costs of infrastructure, including damaged roads affected during the event between April 21 and 28.

Emergency Management, National Recovery and Resilience Minister Bridget Mckenzie said the assistance would help affected communities recover from the extreme weather.

“The flooding caused by the weather event in late April damaged public infrastructure and caused disruption to the local communities,” she said.

“We know that recovery takes time, and the DRFA assistance will assist communities with the costs of the cleanup and repairs of essential road networks, to help keep people safe and connected.”

Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan said 14 local government areas were now eligible for DRFA assistance in response to the rainfall and flooding of late April.

“The activation of the DRFA will see councils reimbursed for clean-up activities and reconstruction costs so they can get on with the job knowing they will be reimbursed for their eligible activities,” he said.

“The persistent rain and flooding resulted in the damage of and closure of roads while the inundation of access roads had left some communities isolated.”