13 March 2023. Last updated 13 March 2023.
AgForce is reminding those affected by flooding in northwest Queensland that the Albanese and Palaszczuk Governments have now activated disaster funding.
As well as financial, housing and emotional support for people across Burke LGA, additional new State Government assistance measures announced include Personal Hardship Assistance for residents of Urandangi in Boulia Shire Council, as well as loans for primary producers and small businesses in the Local Government Areas of Burke, Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Doomadgee, Mornington and Mount Isa.
Personal Hardship Assistance provides $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five to cover the costs of essential items such as medicine, food and clothing.
Meanwhile Primary producers and small businesses can apply for loans of up to $250,000 to repair or replace damaged buildings, plant, equipment or livestock, and up to $100,000 for working capital to continue doing business.
Support for counter-disaster operations and the reconstruction of essential public assets is also being extended to Cairns Regional Council and Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council.
In addition, jointly funded assistance under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangaments is now available in 41 Queensland local government areas: Aurukun, Barcaldine, Barcoo, Blackall-Tambo, Boulia, Burdekin, Burke, Cairns, Carpentaria, Cassowary Coast, Central Highlands, Cloncurry, Cook, Croydon, Diamantina, Doomadgee, Douglas, Etheridge, Flinders, Hope Vale, Kowanyama, Livingstone, Lockhart River, Longreach, Mackay, Mapoon, Mareeba, McKinlay, Mornington, Mount Isa, Napranum, Northern Peninsula Area, Palm Island, Pormpuraaw, Richmond, Tablelands, Torres Shire, Townsville, Whitsunday, Winton and Yarrabah.
Further details on disaster assistance can be found via the Australian Government's Disaster Assist website and the Queensland Reconstruction Authority website.
People who are experiencing hardship due to the floods can find more information or apply for grants by visiting www.qld.gov.au/DisasterHelp or by calling the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.
Please note that the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has created an impact survey, enabling producers to indicate if they would like to be contacted by their industry organisation in relation to this event.
Anyone wishing to do so, can access the survey online here.
We wish those affected a speedy recovery, and, as always, are here if you need us.
Anyone needing advice or assistance from AgForce should contact their Regional Manager or email agforce@agforceqld.org.au.