The Federal Government has announced assistance to support Tasmanian and far north Queensland communities following bushfires in Tasmania and record-breaking floods in far north Queensland.
Assistant Minister for Home Affairs Senator the Hon. Linda Reynolds and Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman announced that the assistance in Tasmania is being provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Assistant Minister Reynolds and Premier Hodgman said that they recognise responding to natural disasters can result in significant financial pressure on councils as they continue to assist affected community members and fund recovery activities.
The funding made available to eligible councils through the DRFA will be for activities such as delivering emergency assistance to individuals, restoring damaged public assets and undertaking counter-disaster operations.
Bushfire-affected councils which may be eligible for Disaster Relief funding includes Central Highlands, Derwent Valley, Huon Valley and West Coast.
Assistance for far north Queensland communities is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-Queensland DRFA.
Through the DRFA, assistance will be offered to Cook Shire Council, Douglas Shire Council and Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council to help their regions recover.
The assistance will help cover costs associated with counter disaster operations and restoring damaged public assets, as well as providing personal hardship assistance to the communities of Wujal Wujal.
Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Federal Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au