Disaster Management
Important Local Disaster Management information:
Local Disaster Management Plan(PDF, 1MB)
Be Ready Central West(PDF, 1MB)
Disaster Management Dashboard
WINTON LOCAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT GROUP (WLDMG)
STAY INFORMED
With changing weather and road conditions across the region, it’s important to stay connected to official, real‑time information from trusted sources. Please use the links below to keep updated and follow advice from emergency services and authorities.
Please take care and stay safe. Drive to the conditions.
Remember, if it’s flooded, forget it.
Disaster Recovery Assistance for Winton Shire Residents
Residents in the Winton Shire impacted by the North Queensland monsoon trough, ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji and severe weather from December 2025 can now access Personal Hardship Assistance to help with recovery.
- Emergency Hardship Assistance: $180 per person, up to $900 per family for essentials like food, clothing, and medicine
- Essential Services Hardship Assistance: $150 per person, up to $750 per family for those without essential services for more than 5 days
- Essential Household Contents Grants: Income-tested support for uninsured residents, up to $5,300 for families
- Structural Assistance Grants: Up to $80,000 for uninsured, income-tested owner-occupiers to repair or replace damaged homes
- Essential Services Safety & Reconnection Scheme: Up to $5,000 to reconnect electricity, gas, water, or sewerage
Visit www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies/disasters/money-finance/eligibility-apply/nq-monsoon-trough-flooding-december-2025 or call Queensland Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 (available 24/7) for more information.
Please note: Emergency Hardship Assistance (EHA) and Essential Services Hardship Assistance (ESHA) grants close 2 March, 2026
Small Businesses
- Exceptional Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants up to $25,000
- Disaster Assistance Loans up to $250,000
- Disaster Assistance (Essential Working Capital) Loan
Visit QRIDA’s website or call 1800 623 946 https://qrida.qld.gov.au/business
Primary Producers
- Exceptional Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants up to $75,000
- Disaster Assistance Loans up to $250,000
- Disaster Assistance (Essential Working Capital) Loan
Visit QRIDA’s website or call 1800 623 946 https://qrida.qld.gov.au/primary-producers
Register for Rural Aid Support
Rural Aid is here for farmers doing it tough due to drought, flood, fire, or other natural disasters. We know asking for help isn’t always easy, but you’re not alone.
If you or a farming family you know needs help, please register with Rural Aid https://faa.ruralaid.org.au/
Non-Profit Organisations
- Exceptional Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants up to $50,000
- Disaster Assistance Loans up to $100,000
- Disaster Assistance (Essential Working Capital) Loan
Visit QRIDA’s website or call 1800 623 946 https://qrida.qld.gov.au/non-profit-organisations
Resupply to flood isolated properties
If you are an isolated property resident in need of food, medical supplies, or emergency fodder, please contact the Winton Shire Council Neighbourhood Centre on 4657 2680.
Resupply to flood isolated properties DL brochure(PDF, 2MB)
QRA Resupply to flood isolated properties A4 factsheet(PDF, 911KB)
Emotional Support
For emotional support, please reach out to:
- Winton Medical Practice – 07 4657 2755
- Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24/7)
- Beyond Blue – 1300 22 46 36 (24/7)
- UnitingCare Farmer to Farmer - 1800 116 671
- Community Recovery Hotline - 1800 173 349
- Head to Health – 1800 595 212 (24/7)
- 13Yarn – 13 92 76 (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Support, 24/7)
- Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800 (24/7)
- MensLine Australia – 1300 789 978 (24/7)
- Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467 (24/7)
- Headspace – 1800 650 890 (8:00am – Midnight)
- QLife Australia – 1800 184 527 (3:00pm – Midnight)
Outback Futures counsellors and psychologists provide free telehealth appointments, call 0417 703 729, email support@outbackfutures.org.au, or visit www.outbackfutures.org.au/get-support.
Floodwater safety
- Avoid walking through floodwater and mud as much as possible as it might be contaminated by sewage and debris.
- Floodwater can also hide sharp objects and debris that can cause serious injury.
- Avoid contact with any floodwater if you have broken skin or any wounds.
- Contaminated floodwater and mud can carry an increased risk of wound infections, diarrhoea, conjunctivitis, ear, nose and throat infections and other infections.
- Melioidosis and leptospirosis are serious bacterial diseases that can occur when skin abrasions come into contact with contaminated wet soil or water.
- There may be an increased risk of leptospirosis and melioidosis, which can both cause fever. Anyone who develops a fever following contact with floodwater should consult their doctor as soon as possible.
- If you need to wade in water or mud, protect your feet by wearing sturdy rubber or leather boots.
Mosquitoes: Protect yourself and your household