Assistance funding is available to bushfire-affected residents of the Western and Darling Downs. Photo: Lisa Herbert.
Joint federal and state-funded disaster recovery funding arrangements have been enacted for Queenslanders impacted by fires in the Western and Darling Downs regions.
The assistance will be available to residents of Captains Mountain, Cypress Gardens, Forest Ridge, Millmerran Downs, Millmerran Woods, Goranba, Kogan, Tara and Wieambilla who have been affected by the fires.
Personal hardship assistance grants of $180 or up to $900 for a family of five or more are available to cover the costs of essential items like food, clothing and medicine. Support up to $5000 per household is also available to help uninsured residents reconnect damaged essential services such as electricity, gas and water.
“A range of assistance is available to support community recovery such as immediate personal hardship payments to cover the costs of essential items for individuals and families, as well as funding for impacted councils for operational response activities,” Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said in a joint statement.
“Communities can be sure that the Australian and Queensland Governments will work together to provide much-needed practical assistance to them quickly to aid the recovery process in the immediate aftermath of a disaster event.”
Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Steven Miles added, “Our emergency services and officers from the Queensland Reconstruction Authority will continue to work with Western Downs Regional Council and Toowoomba Regional Council to provide further assistance to those in need.”
For more information on disaster assistance, eligibility and how to apply, affected residents should visit the Queensland Disaster Support and Recovery website.
