Joint media release with the Hon Eva Lawler
Disaster assistance has been extended for regional communities in the Northern Territory (NT) following the impacts of Cyclone Megan and related severe weather.
The assistance, funded by the Albanese and Lawler Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) will support the NT Government and local councils with the costs of restoring or repairing eligible essential public assets or infrastructure damaged as a direct result of a disaster.
DRFA assistance is being extended to the Alice Springs, Barkly, Central Desert, MacDonnell and Victoria Daly Local Government Areas (LGA). This is in addition to assistance, including for individuals, already available since March 2024 in East Arnhem, Roper Gulf, and West Arnhem LGAs in response to Cyclone Megan.
This assistance also covers emergency and immediate reconstruction works, such as temporary repairs, which are undertaken immediately after a disaster to enable an eligible asset to be operational.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said the extended disaster assistance would help Territorians to recover from the recent extreme weather.
"Our Government will always work closely with our Territory colleagues to provide support during times of hardship," Minister Watt said.
"This funding will help local governments to undertake restoration and work that is beyond the scope of their operational budgets, ensuring that Territorians are able to rebuild from the impacts of Cyclone Megan."
Northern Territory Chief Minister Eva Lawler said: "Repairs by NT Government will include our major highways and roads that have been significantly impacted by the recent severe weather, and repairs to public housing and other infrastructure assets that have been damaged.
"It must be noted that this extension applies to repair and reconstruction of public assets only; it is not available to individuals or private enterprise."
The Northern Territory Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics undertakes restoration works for NT Government assets.
Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Federal Government's Disaster Assist website, and the Northern Territory Government's emergency information and response Secure NT website.
The Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) is a jointly funded program between the Australian Government and state and territory governments, through which the Australian Government provides financial assistance to support state and territory governments with disaster recovery costs.
