Flood support extended to western Queensland small businesses, more residents, councils

31 March 2025

• Disaster loans now available to flood-hit western Queensland small businesses and not-for-profits in nine local government areas.
• Personal Hardship Assistance extended to impacted residents in two more LGAs for emergency essentials and household recovery.
• Another four councils also receiving flood support for their counter disaster operations and the reconstruction of essential public assets. 
  Flood affected small businesses and not-for-profits in the local government areas of Barcoo, Boulia, Bulloo, Diamantina, Longreach, Murweh, Paroo, Quilpie, and Winton can now access disaster loans from the Australian and Queensland Governments.

This includes Disaster Assistance Loans up to $250,000 and Essential Working Capital Loans up to $100,000 to go towards repairs and asset replacement, restocking, and costs to keep operational such as paying wages, rent and rates.

Personal Hardship Assistance has been extended to eligible residents in Longreach and Paroo, with grants for emergency essentials, the replacement of damaged household items, and income-tested assistance for property repairs and the reconnection of services.

LGAs now activated for Personal Hardship Assistance in response to the western Queensland flood emergency include Barcoo, Bulloo, Longreach, Paroo, Quilpie, and Winton.

Burdekin, Central Highlands, Flinders, and Paroo Councils are also now receiving funding for their disaster response activities and road repairs, in addition to the already announced LGAs of Barcoo, Boulia, Bulloo, Diamantina, Longreach, Quilpie, and Winton.

All support is being delivered through the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister said the loans and hardship funding would cover immediate needs to help businesses and residents bounce back.

“During disaster events it’s vital to have confidence that better days are ahead,” Minister McAllister said.

“This means knowing there will be food on the table, stock on the shelves, and your lights will turn on again and stay on.

“Disaster loans and personal hardship grants help people push through a disaster and I encourage all impacted Queenslanders in activated LGAs to check their eligibility for this assistance.”

Queensland Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy said location was no barrier when it came to extending disaster support where it needed to go.

“Western Queenslanders know our Government is here for them,” Minister Leahy said.

“These floodwaters can’t wash away our collective resolve.

“Recovery takes time but getting through this initial period after a flood was crucial, and that’s what this financial support is for.”

Small businesses, not-for-profits and primary producers in the activated LGAs of Barcoo, Boulia, Bulloo, Diamantina, Longreach, Murweh, Paroo, Quilpie, and Winton can contact QRIDA via qrida.qld.gov.au or 1800 623 946 for disaster loans.

Residents of Barcoo, Bulloo, Longreach, Paroo, Quilpie, and Winton can check their eligibility for Personal Hardship Assistance and apply at www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp or by phoning 1800 173 349.

More information on DRFA support available for the western Queensland floods:

Disaster Assistance and Essential Working Capital Loans (businesses, NFPs)

• Disaster Assistance Loans up to $250,000 to repair or replace damaged equipment, repair premises, replace stock, and maintain liquidity.
• Concessional loans up to $100,000 to maintain operations, including paying wages, rents or rates, creditors, or buying goods needed to carry on business. 

Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme (residents)

• Emergency Hardship Assistance – $180 per person, up to $900 for a family of five or more to purchase immediate essentials like food, clothing and medicine.
• Essential Services Hardship Assistance – $150 per person, up to $750 for a family of five or more to assist with immediate needs following the loss of essential services at home for more than five consecutive days.
• Essential Household Contents Grants – up to $1,765 for individuals and up to $5,300 for couples or families to replace destroyed essential household contents such as bed linen and whitegoods.
• Structural Assistance Grants – up to $80,000 for uninsured, income-tested owner-occupiers towards the repair or replacement of a disaster damaged dwelling to return it to a safe and habitable condition. 

Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme (residents)

• Income-tested grants to help uninsured residents reconnect damaged services like electricity, gas, water or sewerage. Up to $5,000 per household. 

Counter Disaster Operations (councils)

• To fund activities that alleviate personal hardship and distress, address urgent community needs, and protect residents immediately prior to, during, or in the aftermath of a disaster. 

Reconstruction of Essential Public Assets (councils)

• Reimbursement for the reconstruction of eligible public assets damaged as a direct result of a disaster. This includes emergency repairs and permanent rebuild to pre-disaster function.