More Qld towns get govt rain assistance

Another five monsoon-affected towns in far north Queensland are now eligible for government assistance as more rain is forecast.

The addition of the Cook, Croydon, Flinders, Napranum and Winton shire councils takes the number of areas eligible for a jointly funded federal and state government natural disaster scheme to 18.

Queensland emergency services minister Bill Byrne says the assistance will help protect towns through sandbagging, clean-ups and quick repairs to essential infrastructure.