Disaster assistance is now available for communities in Aurukun Shire Council and assistance has been extended for the Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council as the effects of Queensland’s Severe Tropical Cyclone Trevor are realised.
Minister for Emergency Management and North Queensland Recovery Senator the Hon. Linda Reynolds CSC and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said assistance was being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-Queensland Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Minister Reynolds said the extra assistance would help community recovery in affected areas.
“As Severe Tropical Cyclone Trevor tracks across the Gulf and towards the Northern Territory, the extent of the damage in Queensland continues to be assessed,” Minister Reynolds said.
“Financial assistance is now available for Aurukun Shire Council to help fund clean-up operations and restore public infrastructure damaged by the cyclone.
“Emergency hardship assistance payments of up to $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five or more for food, clothing, emergency accommodation or medical supplies will also be made available in Aurukun.
“In addition, Essential Services Safety and Reconnection assistance has been made available to the impacted areas of Aurukun and Lockhart River, which were directly in the cyclone’s path as it crossed Cape York.
“The Commonwealth and Queensland governments are committed to supporting the long-term recovery of communities impacted by Severe Tropical Cyclone Trevor.”
Mr Crawford said the severe weather system had caused damage to homes as well as essential public assets such as roads and bridges.
“Far North Queensland’s remote communities faced destructive winds and heavy rain when this weather system crossed the coast,” he said.
“This funding will help Aurukun Shire Council alleviate the cost of counter-disaster operations including sand-bagging, tree clearing, repairing damage to the roads, and the reconstruction of essential public assets.
“Eligible homeowners in Aurukun and Lockhart River will be able to access Essential Services Safety and Reconnection payments of up to $5000 to inspect and/or repair damaged uninsured essential services including electricity, gas, water, sewerage and septic systems.
“This is in addition to the DRFA measures already available in Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council.
“The Commonwealth and Queensland governments continue to monitor Trevor’s impacts of and are ready to extend disaster assistance to communities that need it.”
Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Queensland Government’s Disaster Management website at www.disaster.qld.gov.au and the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au.
