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Flood-hit councils get disaster funds

By David Lewis and Chrissy Arthur, Friday February 3, 2012 - 12:08 EDT

Flood-affected councils across western Queensland are being offered special financial assistance.

The state and federal governments have activated joint disaster relief and recovery arrangements for 11 shires.

They include the Burke, Cloncurry, Doomadgee, Flinders, Murweh, Richmond, Carpentaria, Quilpie, McKinlay and Mount Isa councils.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Robert McClelland says the total damage bill is expected to rise.

"It's very hard until all the water subsides but the preliminary advice I've got is about $41 million," he said.

"But it's anticipated that could certainly go up as the water subsides and we see the damage to roads and bridges and infrastructure and so forth."

Western Queensland federal MP Bruce Scott has welcomed the help extended to flood-affected areas.

However, Mr Scott, the LNP's Member for Maranoa, says more help is needed in shires like Bulloo and Paroo, which are also experiencing flooding.

He says he is also concerned about people's ability to work during extended wet periods.

"They are particularly impacted on as well - those people who can't get to work," he said.

"They are on perhaps seasonal work - their family budgets are affected just as much this summer as the previous summers.

"We need that declaration so we can see that money come through to these communities, including the up-front cash grants for the damage that people may have suffered."

- ABC

© ABC 2012