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Recovery Information

It’s important to understand that recovery may be experienced differently by everyone. Returning to normality after a disaster may be quick, or difficult and prolonged.

Following a disaster event, the Local Disaster Management Group will convene its Local Recovery and Resilience Sub Group to:

Ensure people's wellbeing and support resilience;
Rebuild essential infrastructure;
Help local economic recovery; and,
Rehabilitate the natural environment.

Recovering from a disaster is usually a gradual process. Safety is a primary issue, as are mental and physical wellbeing. If assistance is available, knowing how to access it makes the process faster and less stressful. This section offers some general advice on steps to take after disaster strikes in order to begin getting your home, your community and your life back to normal.

Monsoonal Recovery Supports

For people experiencing difficulties following the 2019 monsoonal event the following supports are still available:

Community Recovery

To access assistance, call the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349, or visit our website at a www.qld.gov.au/communityrecovery .

Financial Assistance

Essential household contents grant - If you are uninsured or unable to claim insurance, you may be eligible for financial assistance towards replacing or repairing essential household contents. Up to $$1,765 for single adults and up to $5,300 https://bit.ly/2BpP2x8

Structural assistance grant - If you are uninsured or unable to claim insurance, you may be eligible for a one-off payment to contribute towards repairs to your home to make it secure and safe. Up to $10,995 for single adults and up to $14,685 for couples or families https://bit.ly/2UKPyx2

Essential services safety and reconnection grant - if you are uninsured, or are unable to claim insurance, you may be eligible for a grant to help reconnect essential services that were damaged by a disaster. Up to $200 towards a safety inspection for each essential service (electricity, gas, water and sewerage or septic system). Up to $4,200 towards repair work to enable essential services to be reconnected (for example, electrical wiring) https://bit.ly/2WQCfgn

Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) Category B disaster assistance for small businesses impacted by flooding. Disaster assistance loans of up to $250,000, and essential working capital loans of up to $100,000 https://bit.ly/2UL8L1F

North Queensland Restocking, Replanting and On-farm Infrastructure Grants – Australian Government co-contribution grants of up to $400,000 for primary producers to assist with restocking, replanting and replacement of on-farm infrastructure damaged by the 2019 flood. For more information call 1800 623 946 or visit the QRIDA website.

National Drought and North Queensland Flood Response and Recovery Agency - In October 2020 $58 million was allocated for grants that align with the long term recovery strategy developed by the National Drought and North Queensland Flood Response and Recovery Agency. The Agency has also established the North East and North West Implementation Working Groups that ensure local voices remain central to the strategy’s implementation. Read more here.

The Australian Government continues to support people, businesses and communities affected by the event – your local Regional Recovery Officer, Emma Rush, can be contacted on 0409 767 493 or email RROTownsville@pmc.gov.au

For information and support phone the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

Small Business Recovery

Visit the Queensland Government Small businesses - Disaster recovery information and advice website here.

Or call 13 QGOV (13 74 68)

Flood Legal Assistance

Townsville Community Law service provides free legal assistance to people affected by flooding in Townsville and surrounding areas.

Call 07 4721 5511 for further information.

Practical Support

Visit the Disaster Dashboard

How can I help?

Volunteering

I’d like to volunteer, how can I help?

Residents wanting to volunteer are being urged to contact the Community Information Centre.

Telephone: (07) 4727 9730

Email: cic@townsville.qld.gov.au

Web: www.cictownsville.com.au/

Wellbeing Supports

Wellbeing support are still available for people affected by the monsoonal event.

The Townsville Hospital and Health Service Disaster Recovery Team support anyone either directly impacted by the 2019 monsoonal event (e.g. people flooded, displaced or traumatised by the event) as well as people indirectly affected (e.g. those who have, or continue to help and support others affected, small business owners, volunteers etc).

The Team provide specialist approaches, education, linking to other services and supports to assist people in overcoming the ongoing distress and negative impact on their wellbeing.

Disaster Recovery Team Brochure (PDF, 975.3 KB)

Kids Helpline Flood Information (PDF)

Recovery Projects

A range of projects are currently underway to support recovery and resilience following the 2019 monsoonal event, a collection of these projects is included below.

Café Conversations

Café Conversations is a project that has come out of the Flood Recovery journey and is being initiated by Townsville City Council as part of Team Townsville. Café Conversations allows locals who were impacted by the Monsoonal event in 2019 to engage informally with supports (information and referrals) at their local cafe.

If there is a local café interested in being involved, please email disasterrecovery@townsville.qld.gov.au.

Community Champions

This project looks to support individuals who are actively engaging with their community regarding flood recovery, wellbeing and building resilience.

Community champions can be nominated by emailing disasterrecovery@townsville.qld.gov.au.

Flexible Funding Grants

These grants are aimed at recovery and resilience projects. For advice developing an application please contact disasterrecovery@townsville.qld.gov.au.

Built Environment

Our crews are busily repairing our road networks, sewers and water pipes, you can assist us maintaining our city by downloading one of the apps below or completing our online Report a Problem Form.

Council Mobile Apps

iCouncil for iPhone and iPad

Snap Send Solve for Android

iCouncil lets you interact with your Council any time, easily. Install the app and you’ll be able to quickly report problems to your Council such as dumped rubbish, potholes, graffiti and damaged infrastructure.

Interact with council and be able to report your problems utilising your android phone.
Report items such as graffiti, potholes, damaged playground equipment and much more.

These apps allow the use of image upload and geocodes to be sent.

North QLD Flood Register

The North QLD Flood Register will allow affected home owners to search for licensed contractors who are available to help with repairs, to make homes safe, secure and habitable.

Licensed contractors, you can add your details to the register by visiting https://qbcc.build/2WRCWX5

If you are a licensed electrician you can also register with Master Electricians Australia to provide electrical service support in Townsville.

Please visit www.qbcc.qld.gov.au for more information

Important Building Site Information

Many activities on building and construction sites produce significant levels of noise and result in becoming an environmental nuisance. Although some noise is unavoidable, it can be controlled fairly simply or limited to more convenient times through the day.

Building noise is prohibited Monday to Saturday from 6.30pm to 6.30am, Sundays and public holidays. Audible noise is any noise which may be heard on the property boundary – including tools, trucks, machinery or any other source of noise.

For more information please contact Council.

Building noise fact sheet PDF, 1.1 MB
Clean building sites fact sheet PDF, 1.8 MB

Infrastructure Factsheets

Economic

A natural disaster can affect your business in many ways. This section will focus on providing avenues and support for the affected businesses of Townsville.

Financial Relief for Business

The Queensland Government has various tools, resources and relief available to businesses affected by natural disasters.

Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) Category B disaster assistance for small businesses impacted by flooding. Disaster assistance loans of up to $250,000, and essential working capital loans of up to $100,000
QLD Treasury - Tax obligations

Non-profit organisation

Applications for Special Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants up to a maximum of $50,000 are available to assist small businesses and non-profits to assist with clean-up and reinstatement costs.

For more information or to apply go to qrida.qld.gov.au or by calling 1800 623 946.

Australian Financial Complaints Authority

Consumers and small businesses with insurance issues can lodge a complaint for free with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) if they are not satisfied with the progress or outcome of their insurance claim.

Issues may relate to:

the decline of a claim,
the amount an insurer is agreeing to pay,
disagreements as to the works required, or
delays and service issues.

Refer to AFCA Frequently Asked Questions factsheet to assist you in gathering the information needed to make a compliant.

Consumers and small businesses can also lodge a complaint with AFCA about financial difficulty issues they may be experiencing with their bank or credit providers.

A complaint can be lodged online at www.afca.org.au or by calling 1800 931 678.

QBCC Register

The North QLD Flood Register will allow affected home owners to search for licensed contractors who are available to help with repairs, to make homes safe, secure and habitable.

Licensed contractors, you can add your details to the register by visiting https://qbcc.build/2WRCWX5

If you are a licensed electrician you can also register with Master Electricians Australia to provide electrical service support in Townsville.

Please visit www.qbcc.qld.gov.au for more information

Factsheets

Environment

After a flood disaster environmental recovery includes the restoration and regeneration of biodiversity (species and plants) and ecosystems, natural resources and environmental infrastructure. It also includes the management of environmental health, waste, contamination and pollution, and hazardous materials.

Recovery Program

Following the February 2019 unprecedented monsoon event, Council successfully applied for Qld Disaster Recovery Arrangements to fund flood recovery and resilience building projects across Townsville. One of these projects, the Ross River to Rowes Bay Sand Transfer Project, will see flood deposited sand excavated from the Ross River riverbed to assist with future flood mitigation. The sand will be used for beach restoration at Rowes Bay in an area heavily eroded during the February 2019 unprecedented monsoon event.

Environmental Recovery Program Factsheet (PDF, 240.1 KB)

Mould

How to keep your family safe from mould:

Dampness and Mould - Use fans with windows open OR aircon on dry mode with windows closed.
Flood affected items - Throw out items that have been damp for more than two days.
Cleaning and sanitising - Household cleaners or white vinegar for cleaning.
Protective clothing - Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.
People with asthma or allergies - Should not be involved in the clean up.
Repair leaks - repair any roofing or plumbing as soon as possible.

Mould: mostly just a nuisance )PDF, 783.7 KB)

Natroshield Organic Sanitiser is being made available free of charge to Townsville residents to assist in the fight against mould and prevent spread of disease.

Final days of FREE mould remover distribution! Natroshield Sanitiser located next to Officeworks will finish at 5pm this Sunday 3 March. This site is open today (Friday) until 5pm and Saturday and Sunday 7am – 5pm.

Natroshield will be offering their own giveaway, please visit there facebook page for details on location and times. If you would like to purchase this product for future use visit natroshield.com.au

Natroshield Organic Sanitiser factsheet (PDF)
Natroshield Organic Sanitiser SDS (PDF)

Natural Environment Recovery

After flood events it is normal to find fish trapped in pools of receding floodwater. If you see fish trapped in pools and struggling please notify Council to determine relocating the fish.

If you come across sick or dead birds or dead fish please notify Council by calling 13 48 10.

Due to the influx of flood water, debris and nutrients into our lakes and waterways there is potential of algal blooms and possible fish kills as the weather heats up. Council is continuing with its regular water quality testing program to monitor and respond to the situation.

National Parks Access and Closures

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is pleased to re-open some parks and forests, as our focus shifts to assessment and recovery.

Find out the park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions at parks.des.qld.gov.au/park-alerts/

Severe Weather: Parks & Forest updates (PDF)

Odour Suppressant

Townsville City Council crews will be using an environmentally friendly spray to reduce smells from waterways, stormwater drains and silted streets.

Areas in Idalia, Rosslea and Annandale will be prioritised. Council crews will continue to assess flood-affected areas and will move the spray truck to other areas as required.

The spray is environmentally friendly and uses beneficial microbes to suppress odour, improve water quality and reduce the risk of algal blooms.

The microbes work by accelerating natural processes to break down pollutants into harmless natural compounds and reduce odour.

Wildlife

Due to the recent flood event, some wildlife have been displaced from their normal habitats. While trying to find their way to a safe spot, through no fault of their own, many animals have been pushed into people’s yards and suburban areas.

Currently Townsville Wildlife Rescuers are dealing with a large number of displaced animals, please see the attached flyer for information on how you can help them.

Wildlife Information (PDF)

CrocWatch

If you see a crocodile, report it to CrocWatch on 1300 130 372 as soon as possible.

Townsville's Ross River has a healthy population of freshwater crocodiles. Some of them are now finding themselves high and dry after the flooding over the last few days. Freshwater crocodiles are timid animals that avoid humans if possible, and won't attack people unless they feel threatened.

Crocodiles dislike floods as much as we do – just like us they seek shelter during the event and return to quieter places once the flooding is over. If a croc has swum over a barrier in the flood it could become stuck as the waters recede, so keep an eye out for crocodiles in unexpected places such as roadside drains. If you see a crocodile, report it to CrocWatch on 1300 130 372 as soon as possible.