Federal Disaster Allowance Extended to More North Queensland Communities

The Australian Government has expanded access to the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) for additional North Queensland communities still feeling the financial strain of severe rainfall and flooding that struck the region in February.

Five new Local Government Areas have been added to the scheme, which already covers 37 LGAs across Queensland including Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundaberg and Fraser Coast, among others.

The DRA provides up to 13 weeks of income support for eligible workers and sole traders who have lost income as a direct result of the disaster. Expansions to coverage are triggered by impact assessments carried out by emergency management agencies as affected areas become safe to access.

Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain acknowledged the ongoing toll on affected residents, saying the extension was designed to ease financial pressure as recovery efforts continue.

"North Queenslanders have felt the brunt of back-to-back severe weather events over the past few months," Minister McBain said. "We're extending the DRA to help those whose lives continue to be disrupted and relieve some of the financial pressures they are facing as works to reconnect communities continue."

The DRA sits alongside other recovery measures already activated, including the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and support under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) for households, small businesses, primary producers and councils.

Eligible people can check and apply via Services Australia through myGov, or call the Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66 for assistance.