QUEENSLAND
Minister for Justice Michael Keenan and Queensland Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan announced disaster assistance in response to Tropical Cyclone Debbie that has affected twenty-eight local government areas in Queensland.
Minister Keenan said the assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
“The ongoing assessments demonstrate that Queensland communities need additional support with their immediate and long-term recovery efforts,” Mr Keenan said
“Today’s announcement will extend assistance in Gold Coast City, Logan, and Scenic Rim to include concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, and concessional interest rate loans and freight subsidies for primary producers, whose assets have been significantly damaged, or who have suffered a significant loss of income.”
Mr Ryan said assistance for concessional interest rate loans and freight subsidies to primary producers have also been activated in the local government areas of Central Highlands, Gladstone, Isaac and Lockyer Valley.
“Funding to assist states and local councils to undertake certain counter disaster operations, clean-up activities and the restoration of damaged community infrastructure is now also available in the local government area of South Burnett,” Mr Ryan said.
“We are continuing to monitor the situation and will make assistance available to other communities if required.”
Information on disaster assistance available for this natural disaster can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au and the Queensland Government’s Disaster management website at www.disaster.qld.gov.au.
NEW SOUTH WALES
Minister for Justice Michael Keenan and New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant announced that disaster assistance has been made available for communities affected by flooding in the North Coast of New South Wales.
“The Australian and New South Wales governments are working quickly to support flood affected communities by providing immediate access to recovery assistance,” Mr Keenan said.
“As this flood event is still unfolding, I urge people to stay safe and listen to the advice of the emergency management authorities.”
Minister Grant said NDRRA assistance is being made available in the local government areas of Ballina, Byron, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed.
“I want to thank our emergency services personnel and volunteers for their tireless work to protect life and property, and urge the community to remain vigilant,” Mr Grant said.
“We are committed to ensuring those impacted by flooding have the support they need to recover and rebuild and will extend assistance to other areas if required.”
The following assistance is available under the NDRRA:
- Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged;
- Support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets;
- Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations;
- Freight subsidies for primary producers; and
- Grants to non-profit organisations.
For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444. To apply for a concessional loan, grant or freight subsidy, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit raa.nsw.gov.au. More information about the NSW Government’s disaster assistance programs can be found here: www.emergency.nsw.gov.au