Recovery assistance for people affected by Cyclone Larry
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Tropical Cyclone Larry – Financial AssistanceWord version
Tropical Cyclone Larry – Financial AssistanceThe Department of Communities previously provided financial assistance and information on how and where to access recovery services.
Financial assistance (now closed)
Far North Queensland residents affected by Cyclone Larry with associated damage to households had been able to access financial assistance and emotional support.
Disaster Relief Funding is now closed, but it was available to persons who were financially unable to provide for their own recovery.
Disaster relief assistance through the Commonwealth’s Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements (NDRA) was based on demonstrable hardship. Maximum limits applied and eligibility to some assistance was income or asset tested.
The types of personal hardship assistance measures that were available included:
- Emergent help – available in immediate aftermath and principally for food, clothing, accommodation and medical supplies
- Essential household contents – towards the replacement and repair of uninsured essential household contents damaged or destroyed by the cyclone
- Structural repairs – to help return owner-occupied, uninsured premises damaged by the disaster to a safe, habitable and secure state.
Australian Government Assistance
For information about Australian Government Assistance to the relief and recovery effort visit www.disasterassist.gov.au.
Queensland Government involvement
The Queensland Government is working with local and federal authorities to help communities affected by Cyclone Larry.
Access to recovery services
Department of Communities community recovery centres, also known as One Stop Shops were previously open to assist individuals and families through the recovery process. One Stop Shops were staffed by recovery workers, Lifeline staff and other service staff.
The One Stop Shops are now closed to the public. A small group of Community Recovery Services staff remain working in the region and can be contacted on (07) 4048 9870.
Rebuilding
For information on the rebuilding process, including a contractor register and free independent insurance advice, check out the Cyclone Larry Building Co-ordination Centre. For more insurance advice and dispute resolution you can also contact the Insurance Ombudsman Service.
Individual and family support
Lifeline, Red Cross and The Salvation Army are able to provide a range of individual and family support services. Visit their websites for more information.
The information in this range of fact sheets is designed to help individuals and families to understand and move through the issues they may face as recovery continues.
Tenancy issues
For information and advice on tenancy issues, contact the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA). The RTA has also published a useful natural disaster fact sheet for tenants.
Also check out the recovery services directory for quick reference to a wide range of services available to individuals and families in Cyclone Larry affected areas.
Assisting the recovery process
Volunteering
Find out about volunteering in and around Cyclone Larry affected areas by contacting FNQ volunteers or the State Emergency Service (SES).
Rebuilding
Registered tradespeople can assist by offering their services to rebuild the region. Contact the Cyclone Larry Building Co-ordination Centre for more information.
Donations
The Cyclone Larry Relief Appeal received donations to assist communities affected by Cyclone Larry. A full report detailing how donated monies were distributed across the communities is available at this link.
Last updated: 23 June 2008.