Townsville disaster grants: Phillip Thompson calls on more suburbs to be eligible for government assistance

With more monsoonal rain on the way, Herbert MP Phillip Thompson has asked for the entire Townsville region to be eligible for disaster assistance as flash flooding continues to wreak havoc on homes.

Pimlico resident John McGuire tries to get cars to slow down in the flooded road outside his home in Palmerston Street. Picture: Evan Morgan

With more monsoonal rain on the way, Herbert MP Phillip Thompson is calling for the entire Townsville region to be eligible for disaster assistance as flash flooding continues to wreak havoc on homes.

“I was in Pimlico which isn’t in any black or pink designated zones where a lady had an inch of water through her unit,” Mr Thompson said.

“In Kirwan a family had to throw out all their bedding and pillows due to mould and then down to Wulguru they had flooding through their house after an intense storm so all through Townsville has been hit hard.”

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting more intense rainfall to lash Townsville in coming days, with up to 110mm forecast on Saturday alone.

Severe thunderstorms may bring a repeat of Thursday morning’s flash flooding to multiple suburbs, where more than 50mm of rain fell in just 30 minutes at The Lakes, Mysterton and Cluden.

Herbert MP Phillip Thompson doorknocks Townsville suburbs with Queensland Police and the army.

In a letter to Emergency Management Minister Jenny McAllister, Mr Thompson said the current suburbs listed as eligible for disaster grants were not enough.

“Unfortunately, many people who have contacted me are distressed to realise that they are currently not eligible for assistance through the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), despite being severely impacted by the flood event,” Mr Thompson wrote.

“I do not believe the areas designated for under the program adequately cover the many community members that have suffered damage.

“Many locals have also told me heartbreaking stories of the toll that buying additional supplies in preparation for the impending weather event and its clean-up has had on their family budget. With many families in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, the additional financial burden is hitting hard.

“To that end, I would ask you to review the current guidelines with a view to expanding the program to cover the broader Townsville region and ensure funding is supporting those vulnerable people in our community who are in most need of help.”

Brian Murphy watches the river rises very closely at Pimlico as Townsville residents endure another day of heavy rain and threats of catastrophic flooding. Pics Adam Head

Queensland Disaster Recovery Minister Ann Leahy and Federal Emergency Management Minister Jenny McAllister announced just after 8am Thursday that 26 new suburbs across the Townsville local government area could now apply for funding through the Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme.

The newly activated areas of Townsville include Alligator Creek, Arcadia, Black River, Blue Hills, Bluewater, Bluewater Park, Cape Cleveland, Clemant, Crystal Creek, Cungulla, Florence Bay, Gumlow, Horseshoe Bay, Lynam, Majors Creek, Mutarnee, Nelly Bay, Nome, Paluma, Picnic Bay, Rollingstone, Saunders Beach, Toolakea, Toomulla, West Point and Yabulu.

The joint federal and state government support includes emergency hardship assistance grants of $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five or more to cover essentials like food, clothing and medicine.

Nyah Waugh 9, stand where a container stood before her Forrestry Road home was inundated by a fast rising Bluewater Creek. Picture: Evan Morgan

Uninsured residents may also be entitled to income-tested grants up to $5000 per household to inspect and reconnect damaged services like electricity, gas and water.

Eligible residents can apply via www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp or by calling the Queensland Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

Ms McAllister said the extension of personal hardship assistance would help those hardest hit with upfront cash to cover their immediate needs.

“The Albanese Government continues to work with the Crisafulli Government to ensure flood-affected communities are getting the immediate assistance they require,” Ms McAllister said.

“If you’ve been impacted by these floods and live in an area where this disaster support has been activated, please check your eligibility and access the funding available to you.”

Giru resident Tim Coobes outside his home after flooding. Picture: Evan Morgan

Current NQ localities activated for the DRFA Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme as of Thursday morning February 6, 2025:

• Townsville: Alligator Creek, Arcadia, Balgal Beach, Black River, Blue Hills, Bluewater, Bluewater Park, Cape Cleveland, Clemant, Cluden, Crystal Creek, Cungulla, Florence Bay, Gumlow, Hermit Park, Horseshoe Bay, Idalia, Lynam, Majors Creek, Mutarnee, Nelly Bay, Nome, Oonoonba, Paluma, Picnic Bay, Railway Estate, Rollingstone, Rosslea, Saunders Beach, South Townsville, Stuart, Toolakea, Toomulla, West Point and Yabulu.
• Burdekin: Airdmillan, Barratta, Carstairs, Cromarty, Giru, Groper Creek, Horseshoe Lagoon, Inkerman, Jarvisfield, Jerona, Majors Creek, Mona Park, Mount Surround, Rita Island, Shirbourne, Upper Haughton.
• Hinchinbrook: Entire LGA
• Palm Island: Entire LGA

Current NQ councils activated for DRFA assistance to support their counter disaster operations and the reconstruction of essential public assets:

Burdekin, Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Charters Towers, Hinchinbrook, Palm Island, Tablelands, Townsville, Whitsunday, Yarrabah.

Originally published as Townsville disaster grants: Phillip Thompson calls on more suburbs to be eligible for government assistance