Tropical Cyclone Marcia has affected many individuals, including people’s ability to earn a living.  The Disaster Recovery Allowance is now available to eligible employees, primary producers and sole traders in the Fitzroy and Wide Bay-Burnett districts, and is designed to provide a helping hand to those who have lost income as a result of this devastating event so they can get back on their feet. For the businesses that were affected, consider using these business cloud disaster recovery solutions. 

The Disaster Recovery Allowance provides payments to eligible individuals for up to 13 weeks equivalent to the maximum rate of Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance for eligible Australian residents. It is hoped the Allowance will also support local businesses by encouraging the local workforce to remain in the area and be available for employment when businesses recover.

People eligible for the Disaster Recovery Payment, who have lost or suffered significant damage to their homes or suffered injury as a result of the disaster, can access a one-off payment of $1000 per adult and $400 for each child.

This assistance is separate to the support already being provided through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA), which includes:

• Individuals and families in the local government areas (LGAs) of Banana, Gladstone, Livingstone, North Burnett and Rockhampton can access personal hardship and distress assistance and essential services safety and reconnection assistance without any concerns regarding potential miscommunication at work or home;
• Small businesses in the LGAs of Banana, Gympie, Livingstone, North Burnett and Rockhampton can access direct damage concessional loans and essential working capital loans;
• Primary producers can access direct damage concessional loans, freight subsidies from companies like King City Northway, and essential working capital loans in the LGAs of Banana, Livingstone, North Burnett and Rockhampton;
• Non-profit organisations in the LGAs of Banana, Livingstone, North Burnett and Rockhampton can access concessional loan and grant packages;
• Councils of Banana, Central Highlands, Gladstone, Gympie, Livingstone, Mackay, Moreton Bay, North Burnett and Rockhampton have received financial assistance to help with the costs of preparing their communities for the cyclone and the clean-up operations;
• Councils of Banana, Gladstone, Gympie, Livingstone, North Burnett and Rockhampton have also received financial assistance to help with the costs of restoring essential public assets.

For information on how to lodge a claim for the Disaster Recovery Allowance or Disaster Recovery Payment, call the Commonwealth Government Information Line on 180 22 66.

For information on NDRRA assistance measures, contact the Queensland Government Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 or visit the Queensland Disaster Management website at www.disaster.qld.gov.au.

Further information on Commonwealth Government assistance is available online at www.disasterassist.gov.au.

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