Disaster assistance extended to flood affected residents in Etheridge

Residents in Etheridge Shire impacted by severe flooding can now access financial support through the joint Australian and Queensland Government funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

This assistance is in response to flash flooding that swept through the township of Einasleigh in late January, inundating homes and businesses and leaving residents with a massive clean-up operation.

Emergency payments of $180 per person, up to $900 for families of five or more are available to help cover essential costs like food, clothing and medicine.

Additional targeted support includes income-tested Structural Assistance Grants of up to $80,000 for uninsured owner-occupiers who need to make repairs to their flood damaged home.

With many Einasleigh residents displaced by recent flooding, assistance for temporary emergency accommodation is being provided to Etheridge Shire Council.

This support is delivered through counter disaster operations funding previously activated for council under the DRFA.

Other new DRFA extensions include disaster loans and freight subsidies for primary producers in Etheridge Shire and the Central Highlands, and response and recovery funding for Charters Towers Regional Council.

The concessional loans include up to $250,000 for repairs and asset or stock replacement, and up to $100,000 to pay bills and maintain operations, while freight subsidies are up to $5,000.

Applications for Personal Hardship Assistance can be made via www.disaster.qld.gov.au or by calling the 24/7 Queensland Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

Information on disaster loans, including eligibility and how to apply, is available at www.qrida.qld.gov.au.

Farmers needing freight subsidies can call Queensland's Department of Primary Industries on 13 25 23.

Forty-six Queensland councils are now activated for DRFA assistance in response to extreme weather that has hammered northern Queensland since Christmas.