Flood Hardship Support Expanded for Flinders and Richmond Communities

Residents in Queensland's Flinders and Richmond local government areas affected by recent monsoon flooding are now eligible for Personal Hardship Assistance, as governments expand recovery support across the north and north-west of the state.

The assistance provides immediate financial relief for households impacted by flood inundation, evacuation and extended outages of essential services. Payments are designed to help cover urgent needs such as food, clothing and medication, with additional targeted support available for uninsured residents.

Eligible individuals can access $180 per person, with payments of up to $900 for families of five or more, while further grants are available for residents who have been without essential services for more than five consecutive days.

Income-tested assistance measures are also available for uninsured households, including Structural Assistance Grants of up to $80,000 to repair or rebuild homes so they are safe and habitable.

In addition to household support, Cook, Douglas and Hinchinbrook Shire Councils have been activated for disaster funding to assist with counter-disaster operations and the repair and reconstruction of essential public assets. Townsville City Council can also now recoup costs associated with repairing its damaged road network.

The funding forms part of the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), with 18 local government areas currently receiving assistance in response to the North Queensland Monsoon Trough.

Kristy McBain said recovery support would continue to expand as damage assessments progress.

"We're facing a significant recovery operation that will be measured in months and years rather than days and weeks," she said.
"As floodwaters recede and we learn more about the impacts, we will extend all support necessary to help north and north-west Queensland communities recover."

Queensland Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy said the state government remained in close contact with councils to ensure affected residents received timely assistance.

"We're working tirelessly to support all eligible requests for Personal Hardship Assistance and other DRFA measures," she said.
"Queenslanders can apply online or contact our 24-hour recovery hotline for help."

Applications for hardship assistance can be made at www.disaster.qld.gov.au or by calling the Queensland Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

Personal Hardship Assistance Available

Eligible north-west Queensland residents may access:

• Emergency Hardship Assistance - $180 per person, up to $900 for families of five or more, for immediate essentials such as food, clothing and medicine.
• Essential Services Hardship Assistance - $150 per person, up to $750 for families of five or more, for households without essential services for more than five days.
• Essential Household Contents Grants - income-tested support for uninsured residents, up to $1,765 for individuals and $5,300 for families, to replace essential household items.
• Structural Assistance Grants - up to $80,000 for uninsured, income-tested owner-occupiers to repair or rebuild disaster-damaged homes.
• Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme - income-tested grants of up to $5,000 per household to reconnect electricity, water, gas or sewerage.