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.
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.
Snap Send Solve
Interact with Council and report problems using the Snap Send Solve app on your iPhone or Android device. Report items such as graffiti, potholes, damaged playground equipment and much more.
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This app 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 North QLD Flood Register.
If you are a licensed electrician you can also register with Master Electricians Australia to provide electrical service support in Townsville.
Please visit the Queensland Building and Construction Commission website 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 factsheet (PDF, 1.1 MB)
- Clean building sites factsheet (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
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.
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 visit the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority website or call 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 on the Australian Financial Complaints Authority website 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 North QLD Flood Register.
If you are a licensed electrician you can also register with Master Electricians Australia to provide electrical service support in Townsville.
Please visit the Queensland Building and Construction Commission website 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.
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.
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
Find out the park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions on the Queensland Government's Park Alerts page.
Environment Factsheets
- Mould: mostly just a nuisance (PDF, 783.7 KB)
- QBCC - Asbestos Removal (PDF)
- Worksafe QLD - Work safely with asbestos after summer storms (website)
- Worksafe QLD - Which businesses are licensed to remove asbestos in QLD? (website)
- Industrial Relations QLD - Asbestos A guide for minor renovations (PDF)
- QLD Government - Asbestos resources (website)
- THHS - Dust Storm Factsheet (PDF, 90.8 KB)
- THHS - School playground equipment after floods Factsheet (PDF, 91.1 KB)
- THHS - Returning home after floods and storms Factsheet (PDF, 192.9 KB)
- THHS - Food Hygiene Factsheet (PDF, 91.1 KB)
- THHS - Meliodosis Factsheet (PDF, 91.9 KB)
- Natural Environment Recovery Subgroup Outcomes - March 2019 (PDF, 444.4 KB)
