Rates assistance
Council’s rates team is here to support ratepayers who’ve been financially impacted by the Cyclone Jasper flood disaster.
Please reach out to the team on (07) 4099 9444 if you’re having difficulty paying your rates, water or need to set up/amend your current Arrangement to Pay.
Apply for financial assistance under the Rates Financial Hardship Policy
Application forms can be found under the rates section
Financial assistance
Queensland Government
The Queensland Government has made financial assistance available to residents in the Douglas Local Government Area. For all details, to check your eligibility, or to apply;
- Call the Community Recovery Hotline 1800 173 349 or
- Visit the Queensland Government Tropical Cyclone Jasper personal hardship financial assistance webpage
Personal Hardship Assistance Grant
Helps with essential needs, food, medication, clothing and temporary accommodation.
- Eligibility: experiencing personal hardship and can’t meet immediate essential needs
- Amount: $180 for individuals; $900 for families of 5 or more
Essential Services Hardship Assistance
Helps with essential services such as power, gas, water and sewerage.
- Eligibility: lost one or more essential services for more than 5 days and are experiencing personal hardship as a result
- Amount: $150 for individuals; up to $750 for families of 5 or more
Essential Household Contents grant
To replace essential lost household contents, such as bed linen and white goods.
- Amount: $1765 for individuals; up to $5300 for couples or families
Australian Government
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and Disaster Recovery Allowance
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) and Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) are available.
- The AGDRP is a one-off payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child who have suffered a significant loss as a result of the floods, including a severely damaged or destroyed home or a serious injury.
- The DRA provides up to 13 weeks of federal income support to assist eligible employees or sole traders who experience a loss of income as a direct result of a major disaster.
The easiest way for people to claim is online through myGov.
For help with claiming, phone the Australian Government Emergency information line on 180 22 66. To speak to someone in their language, call the Centrelink multilingual phone service on 131 202.
Primary producers, small business and not-for-profits
Financial assistance from the Queensland Government includes:
- extraordinary disaster assistance recovery grants of up to $50,000
- disaster assistance loans of up to $250,000 (concessional rates)
- disaster assistance (essential working capital) loans of up to $100,000.
Complete the natural disaster business survey to advise what assistance you may need.
You can also find resources at the Douglas Shire Council Grants Guru page.
Donations
If you would like to make a donation of money or goods, contact GIVIT through their website.
Financial services
- Centacare FNQ: 4044 0130
- Rural Financial Counselling Service NQ: 4652 5669