General News
13 February, 2026
Assistance on offer for floods
FINANCIAL assistance is now available to flood affected residents in the Etheridge Shire Council area.
This includes emergency payments of $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five or more to cover immediate costs for food, clothing and medicine.
Support targeting low income, uninsured residents is being offered, including Structural Assistance Grants up to $80,000 to repair a damaged home to a safe and habitable condition.
Assistance for temporary emergency accommodation is also available to impacted residents in Etheridge Shire.
These measures come in the wake of heavy monsoonal rains that have caused the Copperfield and Gilbert Rivers to reach levels not seen for over half a century.
Support is being delivered by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
For information on grants, eligibility and how to apply visit www.disaster.qld.gov.au.
Impacted residents can also phone the 24/7 Queensland Community Recovery Hotline, 1800 173 349.
In addition, DRFA disaster loans up to $250,000 and freight subsidies up to $5,000 have been extended to primary producers in Etheridge Shire to help their flood recovery and sustain operations.
Applications for disaster loans can be made via www.qrida.qld.gov.au, while farmers needing freight subsidies can call Queensland’s Department of Primary Industries on 13 25 23.
