Special government powers enacted to help Far North Qld recover

The state government has approved special temporary planning powers to help those hit by the Far North Queensland flood disaster. This is what you need to know.

Residents in Queensland’s far north devastated by the flooding disaster will be able to access vital services 24-hours a day after the state government approved special temporary planning powers.

Shops, warehouses and transport depots in eight local government areas in the region including and surrounding Cairns will be cleared to operate through the night to assist with recovery efforts.

The Courier-Mail can reveal freshly minted Planning Minister Meaghan Scanlon has declared Tropical Cyclone Jasper an “applicable event”, which enacts special powers until February 9 to streamline activity and development approvals.

Planning Minister Meaghan Scanlon. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

The temporary powers, which were created during the Covid pandemic to be used during emergency situations, allows businesses to apply to modify development conditions preventing them from operating due to the natural disaster.

Examples of a “temporary use license” include a restaurant applying to move furniture to higher ground or a hotel allowing people to sleep in safer areas within the building.

The planning powers also allow for rapid deployment of emergency housing by eliminating the requirement for development approvals.

Australian Army personnel carry supplies off a cargo plane at Cooktown Airport. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We want to help get affected businesses and operators back online as soon as possible,” Ms Scanlon said.

“These changes will help far north businesses and suppliers restock shelves and start operating again while the clean-up and recovery gets underway.

“Cairns and Douglas councils approached us about getting these measures online, and we’ve responded quickly.

“As the picture of the damage becomes clearer and we rebuild, we’ll continue to work closely with the community to see what support we can provide them.”