Ministers visit flood-affected NSW and Queensland
Robert McClelland
posted Monday, 6 February 2012
Minister for Emergency Management, Robert McClelland MP, and Minister for Human Services Brendan O’Connor, today flew in to flood-affected NSW and Queensland to see firsthand the damage done by recent events.
“These recent floods have broken records, left thousands isolated and have caused mass evacuations in some towns,” said Mr McClelland.
“The Australian Government is working closely with the Queensland and NSW Governments in this unfolding flood situation, to make sure affected communities get any necessary Commonwealth assistance immediately.
“The Commonwealth today activated direct payments of additional disaster assistance for communities in Queensland and Northern NSW hit by flooding as a result of recent heavy rainfall,” said Mr McClelland.
“The one-off Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) will be provided to eligible people adversely affected by the continuing heavy rains and flooding that have hit inland Queensland and northern NSW in the past week.”
“AGDRP will be made available through Centrelink to eligible people who have been impacted by flooding in disaster declared areas,” said Mr O’Connor.
“In Queensland these areas include the shires of Balonne, Barcaldine, Blackall Tambo, Maranoa, Murweh and Paroo. This payment is also available to people in Moree, Narrabri and Gwydir in New South Wales.”
Mr McClelland and Mr O’Connor today visited Moree, NSW, and Charleville and Roma, Queensland, to see for themselves how communities are coping with the latest floods.
“The Commonwealth is here to help,” said Mr McClelland.
“That’s why AGDRP financial assistance will be provided to eligible people who were seriously injured or whose principal place of residence was destroyed or significantly damaged by the storms.”
“Those who are eligible will receive a one-off payment of $1,000 for adults and $400 for each child to help them recover,” said Mr O’Connor.
“With families unable to return to their homes, and thousands more with major damage to their homes, this swift and direct payment will go some way to helping people get on with the job of cleaning up and restoring their homes,” said Mr O’Connor.
“This payment is over and above the support being provided by the Commonwealth Government to the Queensland and NSW Governments under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) that apply to 14 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Queensland and 17 LGAs in NSW,” said Mr McClelland.
NDRRA assistance includes:
• Restoration of essential public assets for local councils and clean-up costs.
• Certain Counter Disaster Operations.
“Eight Australian Defence Force (ADF) helicopters are supporting the response to flooding in the Roma and St George areas, resupplying those isolated and evacuating those who need it. This support is anticipated to continue until Wednesday 8 February 2012.
“All of this demonstrates Government’s commitment to supporting families, councils and communities in Queensland and NSW through the recovery process,” said Mr McClelland.
Further information about disaster assistance can be found at www.disasterassist.gov.au
Tags: Floods