Assistance for Cassowary Coast Residents & Businesses Affected by Flood

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Published
18th December 2023

The Australian and Queensland Governments have activated the jointly-funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) for the Cassowary Coast to offer assistance and support for residents affected by ex-TC Jasper and subsequent major flooding. 

The following grants have been activated as part of the community recovery package:

  • Emergency Hardship Assistance: $180 per person (up to $900 for a family of five or more) for people who are unable to meet their immediate essential needs for temporary accommodation, food, essential clothing and medication.
  • Essential Household Contents: of up to $1,765 for individuals (up to $5,300 for a family) to eligible people who do not have the relevant insurance and have had damage to their homes and belongings as a result of the disaster and who meet the income threshold.
  • Structural Assistance: of up to $50,000 per household for people who are uninsured or unable to claim insurance as a contribution towards repairs to their home to make it secure and safe and who meet the income threshold.
  • Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme: up to four essential service reconnections (e.g., electricity, gas, water or sewerage) at maximum $200 each and repair to damaged service items to a maximum total of $4,200.

To be assessed for eligibility for any of the above services please call the Community Recovery hotline on 1800 173 349 or go to the online portal at www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp.

Council is working with the Queensland Government Department of Housing to ensure options are available to support those who cannot return home through Emergency Housing Assistance Response (EHAR) including identifying short-term accommodation for vulnerable people in need.

BUSINESS SUPPORT

The Queensland Government is connecting with impacted business owners to identify what assistance is required.  Cassowary Coast Regional Council encourages all impacted businesses to complete the surveys which will help inform support required for recovery efforts.

Small businesses should complete the Cyclone Jasper December 2023 natural disaster business survey at https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/natural-disaster/assistance.

Primary producers are also being asked to complete a disaster impact survey to report damage or losses to their farm and understand assistance available at https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/natural-disaster/assistance.

Council’s thoughts are with all members of the community who have been affected by recent events and is working hard to assist recovery efforts throughout the region.

For further information go to the Community Flood Recovery page on Council’s website, contact Council on 1300 763 903 or email enquiries@cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au.