The Hon Michael Keenan MP
Minister for Justice

The Hon Jack Dempsey MP
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

Commonwealth Minister for Justice Michael Keenan and Queensland Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Jack Dempsey today announced that disaster assistance has been activated for Brisbane City Council following the severe storm on 27 November 2014.

Mr Keenan said that the assistance was being provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

“The Commonwealth and Queensland Governments are providing financial assistance to support the clean-up effort and to repair damage to public infrastructure,” Mr Keenan said.

Mr Dempsey said the storm caused widespread damage across the Brisbane local government area, requiring extensive clean-up operations by council and the State Emergency Services.
 
“This storm was one of the worst in the Brisbane City area in decades, resulting in more than 2,900 requests for assistance to the SES, power being cut to residential areas, and flash flooding,” Mr Dempsey said.

“The assistance we are announcing today will help Brisbane City Council with clean-up and recovery costs and provide funding to repair damage to essential public infrastructure.”

“The Commonwealth and Queensland Governments are committed to working together to ensure that disaster affected communities can return to normal as quickly as possible,” Mr Keenan said.

Information regarding the assistance available can be found on the Queensland Government’s Disaster Management website at www.disaster.qld.gov.au and on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au.