Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payments (AGDRP) have been extended to people severely affected by flooding in the local government areas of Rockhampton and Somerset in Queensland and Clarence Valley in New South Wales.
This is a difficult time for people affected by these floods, which have had a devastating impact on a number of communities. With the people of Rockhampton, Somerset and Clarence Valley now looking towards recovery, eligible residents can claim disaster recovery payments of $1,000 for each adult and $400 for each child.
The easiest way to lodge a claim for the AGDRP is online at the Department of Human Services website or by calling the Australian Government Information Line on 180 22 66 from 8am to 8pm local time, seven days a week. Completed claim forms can also be lodged in person at a Commonwealth Department of Human Services service centre.
These payments will assist individuals and families to get back on their feet as they begin to recover. The AGDRP is already being provided to individuals who have been severely impacted by flooding in the local government areas of Bundaberg, Fraser Coast, Gladstone, Gympie, Lockyer Valley and North Burnett. Further information on AGDRP and other Australian Government Assistance is available online at the Australian Government Disaster Assist website.
The Commonwealth Government's Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy is also available to individuals that have suffered a loss of income as a direct result of ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald and associated flooding in the Queensland local government areas of Bundaberg, Gympie, Fraser Coast, North Burnett, and Lockyer Valley. The subsidy provides fortnightly payments for 13 weeks equivalent to the maximum rate of Newstart Allowance and can be claimed through Centrelink.
This Australian Government assistance is over and above the support already being provided under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA), which are jointly funded by the Australian Government and the states.
There are now 53 local government areas in Queensland and 15 in NSW eligible for various types of disaster assistance under the NDRRA.
In Queensland:
Personal Hardship and Distress assistance is available in the 23 local government areas of: Banana, Brisbane City, Bundaberg, Cherbourg, Fraser Coast, Gladstone, Gold Coast, Goondiwindi, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, North Burnett, Redland, Rockhampton, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Western Downs.
Concessional Interest Rate Loans and Freight Subsidies for Primary Producers are available in the 22 local government areas of: Banana, Bundaberg, Central Highlands, Fraser Coast, Gladstone, Gold Coast, Goondiwindi, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, North Burnett, Redland, Rockhampton, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Western Downs.
Concessional Interest Rate Loans for Small Business are available in the 23 local government areas of: Banana, Brisbane City, Bundaberg, Central Highlands, Fraser Coast, Gladstone, Gold Coast, Goondiwindi, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, North Burnett, Redland, Rockhampton, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Western Downs.
Clean-up and recovery grants of up to $25,000 are available for affected small businesses, primary producers and not-for-profit organisations in the following 5 local government areas of: Bundaberg, Fraser Coast, Gympie, Lockyer Valley and North Burnett. The Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy is also available in these local government areas.
Counter Disaster Operations assistance to councils and State government agencies is available in the 45 local government areas of: Aurukun, Banana, Brisbane City, Bundaberg, Burdekin, Burke, Cairns, Carpentaria, Cassowary Coast, Central Highlands, Cherbourg, Cook, Etheridge, Fraser Coast, Gladstone, Gold Coast, Goodiwindi, Gympie, Hinchinbrook, Ipswich, Isaac, Ipswich, Kowanyama, Lockhart River, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Mackay, Mapoon, Moreton Bay, Napranum, North Burnett, Palm Island, Pormpuraaw, Redlands, Rockhampton, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast, Tablelands, Toowoomba, Torres Shire, Torres Strait Island, Western Downs and Whitsunday.
Restoration of Essential Public Assets assistance to councils and State government agencies is available in the 43 local government areas of: Aurukun, Banana, Burdekin, Burke, Carpentaria, Cassowary Coast, Central Highlands, Cherbourg, Cloncurry, Cook, Doomadgee, Fraser Coast, Gladstone, Gympie, Hinchinbrook, Hope Vale, Ipswich, Kowanyama, Lockhart River, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Mapoon, McKinlay Mornington, Napranum, North Burnett, North Peninsula, Palm Island, Pormpuraaw, Rockhampton, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Toowoomba, Torres Strait Island, Western Downs, Wujal Wujal and Yarrabah.
Further information about Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements for individuals in Queensland is available from the Queensland Government (recovery after a disaster) website or on 1800 173 349.
In NSW:
Personal Hardship and Distress assistance, Concessional Interest Rate Loans for Small Business and Voluntary not-for-profit organisations, Concessional Interest Rate Loans and Freight Subsidies for Primary Producers, and Grants for Voluntray not-for profit bodies are available in the 15 local government areas of Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Glen Innes Southern, Gloucster, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Nambucca, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Richmond Valley, Tenterfield and Tweed.
Counter Disaster Operations assistance and Restoration of Essential Public Assets assistance is also available to councils and state government agencies in these 10 local government areas.
Further information about Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements for individuals in NSW is available from the NSW Government (Natural Disaster Assistance Schemes) website.