Newsroom

December 16, 2023

TWO additional Far Northern local government areas have been included in the joint Federal and Queensland Government’s disaster support measures following the damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Jasper.  

Tablelands Regional Council and Mareeba Shire Council, initially overlooked, have been included in the disaster support schemes which, as a whole, include assistance for personal hardship, essential services safety and reconnection as well as measures to assist local governments and public infrastructure.  

Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) MP for Kennedy Bob Katter said he appreciated the Federal Emergency Management Minister’s quick response to include the two additional LGA’s after wind and flood damage on the Tablelands and Mareeba areas had been reported to his office.  

“While it appears the worst damage (from TC Jasper) occurred in the greater Cairns area, we’re assessing the damage in the Tablelands area as it’s been reported to us,” Mr Katter said.  

“With limited insurance coverage throughout the Far North, we thank the government for providing assistance.  

“We ask anyone else with damage in these areas to contact my office.”  

Mr Katter said among those who made reports was Tablelands resident and KAP candidate for Cook Bruce Logan – who suffered wind and flood damage to his property.  

Mr Logan said his property had been without power and water since Wednesday and on Thursday, lost part of his roof due to wind.  

“On Thursday night I noticed water ingress into three bedrooms and by Friday morning the eastern side of house was flooded,” Mr Logan said.  

“I managed to find a builder in Herberton and thankfully he brought his three sons and we managed to get a tarp over the roof, or else I believe the damage would be a lot worse.”  

Mr Logan said he was now sleeping on a swag in the kitchen, and while he had managed to provide some road-clearing assistance for potential evacuations, he hadn’t had the chance to assess the full extent of damage in his region.  

Mr Katter said while the Federal Emergency Management Minister’s office had confirmed Tablelands and Mareeba councils had been included in the disaster recovery schemes – his office stated there may be a delay in updating websites.  

For information on available recovery assistance, visit : www.qra.qld.gov.au