Personal Hardship Assistance for more north Queenslanders

North Queensland’s worsening flood crisis has called for extra disaster assistance in the region, with more residents now eligible for financial support.

Personal Hardship Assistance payments have been extended to the entire Burdekin and Charters Towers local government areas, and more localities in the Cassowary Coast LGA.

The additional Cassowary Coast suburbs are Bilyana, Bingil Bay, Birkalla, Bulgun, Carmoo, Carruchan, Dingo Pocket, Djarawong, Djiru, Dunk, East Feluga, El Arish, Euramo, Feluga, Friday Pocket, Garners Beach, Granadilla, Gulngai, Hull Heads, Jarra Creek, Lower Tully, Lumholtz, Maadi, Maria Creeks, Merryburn, Midgenoo, Midgeree Bar, Mission Beach, Mount Mackay, Munro Plains, Murray Upper, Murrigal, Rockingham, Shell Pocket, Silky Oak, South Mission Beach, Tam O'Shanter, Tully, Tully Heads, Walter Hill, Warrami and Wongaling Beach.

This is in addition to the already activated Cassowary Coast areas of Cardwell, Damper Creek, Ellerbeck and Kennedy, the entire LGAs of Hinchinbrook and Palm Island, and targeted addresses in Townsville, Cairns and Etheridge.

Eligible residents whose properties have been impacted by flooding can access Personal Hardship Assistance from the Australian and Queensland Governments, provided under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

This includes grants of $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five or more to cover emergency essentials like food, clothing and medicine.

Other assistance available to eligible individuals can help replace damaged household contents such as whitegoods and linen.

Uninsured residents may also be entitled to income-tested grants up to $5,000 per household to inspect and reconnect damaged services like electricity, gas and water, or Structural Assistance Grants up to $80,000 to repair a damaged home to a safe and habitable standard.

Eligible residents can apply via www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp or by calling the Queensland Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

DRFA support has also now been activated for Cook and Douglas Councils, giving them access to funds for their counter disaster operations and the reconstruction of essential public assets.

Other councils to receive DRFA assistance for their response and recovery efforts include Burdekin, Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Charters Towers, Etheridge, Hinchinbrook, Palm Island, Tablelands, Townsville, Whitsunday and Yarrabah.

Damage assessments to determine where further assistance is needed are ongoing, with eligible locations being constantly reviewed and activated as required.

More information can be found via the Queensland Reconstruction Authority website and the Australian Government's Disaster Assist website.