Disaster assistance is now available in the communities of Cook and Lockhart River affected by the severe weather and flooding brought on by Tropical Cyclone Trevor.
Minister for Emergency Management and North Queensland Recovery Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said help was being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-Queensland Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Minister Reynolds said the Commonwealth and Palaszczuk governments were committed to supporting the recovery of cyclone-affected communities.
“Tropical Cyclone Trevor crossed the coast as a high-end Category 3 system, resulting in destructive winds and pockets of heavy rainfall across the region,” Minister Reynolds said.
“Financial assistance is now available for Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council and Cook Shire Council to aid their recovery.
“The assistance will help fund clean-up operations and restore public infrastructure damaged by the cyclone.
“In addition, Personal Hardship Assistance is also available to impacted residents in Lockhart River who bore the brunt of the cyclone as it crossed the coast.”
Minister Crawford said TC Trevor had caused damage to private properties as well as essential public assets.
“The heavy rainfall caused flooding and road closures across the region, as well as damage to trees and powerlines,” he said.
“This funding will help affected councils alleviate the cost of counter-disaster operations, including sand-bagging, tree clearing, and repairing damage to the roads, as well as the reconstruction of essential public assets.
“Also, Lockhart River residents will be able to access emergency hardship assistance payments of up to $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five or more for food, clothing, emergency accommodation or medical supplies.
“We are continuing to monitor the situation and will work closely with the Commonwealth to extend assistance further as required.”
Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at and the Queensland Government’s Disaster Management website at .
