Disaster assistance for western Queensland

Queensland is facing its third extreme weather event in six weeks with a surface trough bring flooding rains to western Queensland.

Local councils of Barcoo, Boulia, Bulloo, Burdekin, Central Highlands, Diamantina, Flinders, Longreach, Paroo, Quilpie, and Winton Councils are receiving support through the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) for response, clean-up and recovery from widespread flooding across the region.

Communities have been left isolated and primary producers have reported destruction of fences and other infrastructure and the loss of thousands of livestock, including sheep and cattle.

Rainfall of nearly double the yearly average annual in less than a week has caused flooding never experienced before.

Councils have reported significant damage to infrastructure including local road networks that require urgent repairs to keep communities connected.

Support is available to eligible primary producers, small businesses and not for profit organisations in Barcoo, Boulia, Bulloo, Diamantina, Longreach, Murweh, Paroo, Quilpie, and Winton.

Disaster Assistance Loans up to $250,000 and Essential Working Capital Loans up to $100,000 are available to assist  with the repair or replacement of damaged assets, and for loss of income, while freight subsides up to $5,000 can be accessed too.

Personal Hardship Assistance is also now available for eligible flood impacted residents in Barcoo, Bulloo, Longreach, Paroo, Quilpie and Winton.

This support includes a range of grants to assist with the purchase of emergency essentials, the replacement of damaged household items, and income-tested assistance for property structural repairs and the reconnection of essential services.

Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) is working with councils to accelerate their response and recovery.

DRFA assistance provides the support for councils to work swiftly to drive local recovery from these floods.

This latest event take the total number of Queensland councils receiving DRFA assistance for the 2024-25 disaster season to 70 with the state tackling floods, bushfires, cyclones, and severe storms.

Impacts from 16 disaster events have seen almost every corner of Queensland affected by at least one severe weather event this season.