Aitkenvale resident Savanah Eadie frustrated at federal disaster payment run-around

Despite living together in the same flood-affected house, an Aitkenvale woman has been rejected for the federal government’s disaster payment, while her sister was accepted. They aren’t the only ones calling out the ‘flawed’ policy.

Savanah Eadie, pictured at her Aitkenvale home which was affected by the 2025 floods, was denied the disaster payment. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Angry Townsville residents are calling out what they say is a ‘flawed’ federal government policy, with people being told they are not eligible for disaster funding despite their houses being inundated by flood waters.

Earlier this month, the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) was activated following a Townsville Bulletin and Herbert MP Phillip Thompson campaign, many residents are still being rejected after applying online.

Aitkenvale resident Savanah Eadie was rejected in her application for disaster funding, despite her sister Isabell Tunbridge being accepted.

The sisters filled out identical applications and live together in the same house.

Savanah Eadie, pictured at her Aitkenvale home which was affected by the 2025 floods, was denied the disaster payment. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“I had the same exact application as hers, because we live together, we obviously went through the same circumstances,” Ms Eadie said.

“She got accepted and the money came through instantly, I got declined and they said I didn’t meet the eligibility for mould and humidity.

“They demanded heaps of photos and evidence, nothing was enough, I was still getting rejected. Both of our things got ruined.”

Savanah Eadie's house on Burt Street, Aitkenvale went underwater during the February floods and saw extensive mould damage as a result.

Having tried three times already, Ms Eadie said she won’t stop trying to claim the payment.

When the floods began in February she said the whole street in Aitkenvale had gone underwater which had flooded into the bottom level of her house, while water began leaking from the ceiling causing black mould to form all over the walls, doors and ceilings.

“We started to have furniture go mouldy, beds, everything downstairs, our washing machine,” she said.

Savanah Eadie's house on Burt Street, Aitkenvale went underwater during the February floods and saw extensive mould damage as a result.

Savanah Eadie's house on Burt Street, Aitkenvale went underwater during the February floods and saw extensive mould damage as a result.

“All the towels and linen we used to try and mop up and stop the water that went mouldy really quick.”

They were accepted for the Community Recovery Grants of $180 dollars, which Ms Eadie said helped with the cleaning and removal of the mould.

Ms Eadie posted her experience to Facebook, with other residents commented their similar experiences of being rejected for the federal funding.

“We are all being treated differently here and it’s not very fair. It’s frustrating,” she said.

Her sister Isabell applied for funding on March 25 was accepted straight away and wasn’t required to provide evidence.

Burt Street, Aitkenvale went underwater during the February floods.

Ms Eadie however has tried three times and has been told different reasons as to why she was not accepted, despite sending in photos of the mould damage to the house.

After a month of pressure, the federal government finally made everyone in the Townsville local government area eligible for the lump sum payment of $1000 per person on March 19, replacing the suburb-only approval process.

When the flooding first began in February only a selection of suburbs were eligible, despite many non-listed areas such as Bluewater, Wulguru and Kelso suffering extensive flooding which destroyed personal items, furniture and caused mould and water damage to houses and businesses.

Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson, speaks to the media at the press conference held at Townsville's local Disaster Management Centre on Friday February 7. Picture: Shae Beplate.

At the time, Phillip Thompson called the announcement “a win for Townsville”.

Since then, he said he has heard thousands of stories similar to Ms Eadie’s of residents being rejected when applying online for the $1000 payment.

The MP was vocal about the issue in Parliament’s Federation Chamber on Thursday morning and said North Queenslanders were left “begging for help” following months of wet weather and devastating flooding.

“I have received thousands of messages from desperate locals who are still being told they aren’t eligible for financial support despite being severely impacted,” he said.

“That is totally unacceptable and is yet another example of bureaucracy gone mad.”

“The messages I’ve been receiving have been heartbreaking.”

Mr Thompson said one man messaged him saying his mother was evacuated during the February floods, her house filled with water and her belongings were ruined, but she was rejected in her application.

He called on the Prime Minister to “urgently review this flawed policy”.

“Start treating Townsville with the respect they deserve,” Mr Thompson said.

The Prime Minister office was contacted for comment.

Originally published as Aitkenvale resident Savanah Eadie frustrated at federal disaster payment run-around