Disaster assistance is now available for nine local government areas in Cape York and the Torres Strait impacted by flooding brought on by a Tropical Low in late January.
Aurukun, Cook, Lockhart River, Mapoon, Napranum, Northern Peninsula Area and Pormpuraaw Councils along with Torres Shire and Torres Strait Island Regional Council are eligible for financial assistance under the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements
Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said the role these councils play in the recovery is essential and they are the engine that drives the ongoing clean-up and repairs to infrastructure.
“None of us will soon forget the heavy rain and flooding that lashed the region bringing down trees, damaging local roads and bridges, and sending a flood of debris,” Mr Entsch said.
“The repairs will help the community work through the disaster and once again start to enjoy the best of Cape York and the Torres Strait.
“The Australian Government will continue to work alongside the Queensland Government and local communities to ensure that they have all the support they need during this difficult time.”
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan said the severe weather system had seen rivers burst their banks across Cape York and cause damage in the Far North.
“Cape York communities breathed a sigh of relief when the Low failed to form into a Tropical Cyclone, but the weather system dumped a significant amount of rain over the last week of January into already swollen catchments,” Mr Ryan said.
“The flooding associated with this Tropical Low has damaged essential public assets, such as roads and bridges, and isolated many communities who have only just seen the waters go down after Tropical Cyclone Imogen.
“This funding will help these local government areas alleviate the cost of counter disaster operations such as sand-bagging, tree clearing and repairing damage to the local road network.
“The Australian and Queensland Governments will continue to work together to support the long-term recovery of communities impacted by natural disasters in Queensland.”
Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au and the Queensland Reconstruction Authority’s website at www.qra.qld.gov.au
