Disaster relief extended across Top End after floods
The Federal and NT Governments have extended assistance to more communities impacted by severe weather and flooding.
Joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) have been extended to the Roper Gulf, West Daly, Victoria Daly, Coomalie, Belyuen, Wagait, West Arnhem, Litchfield, Darwin, Palmerston and unincorporated areas of Greater-Darwin, Cox-Daly and Marrakai-Douglas Daly LGAs, helping local authorities to undertake counter-disaster operations and restore essential public assets, including debris removal, emergency works and infrastructure repairs.
Eligible residents in the Coomalie and Litchfield Local Government Areas (LGAs) as well as Beswick and Jilkminggan localities will also be able to access:
- Immediate Relief payments of up to $611 per adult and $309 per child, capped at $1,537 per family, to help residents experiencing personal hardship as a result of the flooding.
- Temporary accommodation assistance of up to $1,160 per family available to help cover short-term accommodation costs while they are unable to return home.
Re-establishment assistance of up to $8,843 per household is also available to support the replacement of essential household items such as whitegoods, furniture, bedding and basic household goods.
This builds on support already activated for eligible flood affected residents of the Katherine LGA. Emergency shelters remain open to support residents who are not yet able to return home safely.
Right support
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain will visit Katherine today to meet with impacted community members.
She said that while floodwaters in Katherine are receding, levels remain high across the Big Rivers region and the Top End and many residents remain displaced.
“We are working closely with the Northern Territory Government to ensure that the right support gets to the communities that need it,” Minister McBain said.
“Recovery is a long process, but the Albanese Government is standing alongside the Northern Territory to support affected communities to help them rebuild as quickly as possible.”
Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the Territory Government recognises the devastating impact these floods have had on communities across the Top End.
Assessing impacts of floods
“We’re experiencing historic flood events occurring simultaneously across multiple regions, each with different timelines and requiring tailored relief measures.
“As we move through the recovery phase, the Department of Children and Families, which is currently delivering disaster relief support in Katherine, will soon expand the rollout to other affected communities as recovery efforts continue across the region.
“The next phase of support for individuals will be prioritised based on community need.
“This staged approach ensures assistance is delivered first to communities where residents remain displaced, essential services have been disrupted, or households have experienced significant damage.
“Through the Emergency Operations Centre, the Department of Children and Families will work closely with response agencies and local authorities to assess impacts and coordinate the rollout of support.
“Indicative timing for assistance will be confirmed and published on the Secure NT website to provide certainty for affected residents about when they can expect access to disaster relief funding.”
For more information on disaster assistance and eligibility visit www.disasterassist.gov.au and https://securent.nt.gov.au/respond/flooding-katherine-and-wugularr-beswick/katherine-and-beswick
