By Emily-Rose Toohey
A heavy influx of rain last Friday night caused waterways in the Granite Belt to overflow and sections of road were hence cut off to locals on Saturday.
The Severn River overflowed on Reid Road and part of Folkestone Street was also cut off due to minor flooding.
However, a Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) spokesperson said there were no road closures on the Granite Belt over the weekend.
The major flooding event in the Southern Downs region last month is the latest in a series of events that have damaged roads.
SDRC Mayor Vic Pennisi said there has been major damage all over the region, some of which had been damaged in 2020 that have not been repaired.
“It takes time to sort out, and then it will rain again – we don’t have the capacity,” Cr Pennisi said.
As a result, SDRC has been engaging with other levels of government for assistance according to the Mayor.
“The roads are constantly getting buggered up from rain events and it’s a challenge to do regular maintenance,” he said.
While roads have been a key focus point for council, further funding from the government has been announced over the past week to assist flood-affected residents.
Low-interest disaster assistance and essential working capital loans of up to $100,000 are now available to small businesses and not-for-profit organisations.
The assistance is being provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Queensland Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan MP said concessional loans of up to $100,000 would act as a lifeline to small businesses and not-for-profit organisations on their road to recovery.
“Some small businesses and not-for-profit organisations in flood-affected regions are dealing with their second or even third successive flooding event this year,” Minister Ryan said.
“The Australian and Queensland governments are continuing to work together to support ongoing recovery efforts throughout southern Queensland, to ensure all communities hit by the floods in May 2022 have the best support available at this difficult time.”
DRFA low-interest loans of up to $250,000 as well as freight subsidies of up to $5,000 for eligible primary producers are also available to the Southern Downs.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) were activated based on initial damage reports collated by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF).
“The unseasonably late rain event from 6 to 20 May has resulted in cashflow issues from multiple crop losses, additional impacts to soils and erosion due to ongoing flooding of already waterlogged soils, and further infrastructure losses including reinstated fencing and livestock losses,” Mr Furner said.
“DAF has worked with local governments, industry and impacted producers to gather initial impacts to quickly activate financial recovery assistance.
“Eligible producers should take photographs of the direct damage to accompany their application.
“Please date stamp these photographs to show the damage is from this natural disaster event.”
Minister Ryan said the Australian and Queensland Governments will continue to work closely with local councils to support their ongoing recovery efforts.
“We aim to identify where further assistance can be provided to ensure all impacted communities have the best possible support,” he said.
For more information on assistance available to primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profit organisations, visit www.qrida.qld.gov.au or call 1800 623 946.
Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Queensland Reconstruction Authority’s website at www.qra.qld.gov.au.
In Warwick, Southern Downs residents impacted by the recent flooding can access assistance at a community recovery hub, which was announced directly after the event last month.
Although the hub was initially located at the SDIEA Campus, it has moved to Warwick Library at 49 Albion Sreet and will be open from 10.00am to 3.00pm from Monday to Friday.
A Lifeline team is at the location and impacted residents may be eligible for a Essential Household Contents Grant, a Structural Assistance Grant, and an Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme Grant.
SDRC Mayor Vic Pennisi said hubs are vital to rebuilding and restoring communities.
“It is important for our flood-affected residents to ask questions to see what assistance they may be able to access,” he said.
“We encourage anyone with concerns after the flood to touch base with the various government and non-government agencies on-site now and not delay as the hub is only open for a limited time.”
