Insurance losses from the Townsville floods have reached about $165 million, with 13,560 claims received by yesterday morning.

More than $16 million has been paid in support and emergency accommodation costs.

The Insurance Council of Australia will hold forums in Townsville on February 25 and March 25 to offer claims guidance, while CEO Rob Whelan will meet state and local government representatives this week.

Several insurance company CEOs have visited to meet affected residents.

The Queensland Government lifted Townsville’s disaster status yesterday, but the Bureau of Meteorology has reported major flooding of the Diamantina River, southwest of Townsville, with more expected downstream in coming weeks.

According to reports, 300,000 cattle have died in the disaster. Some areas received more than a year’s rain over several days.

Meanwhile, emergency crews have continued to fight bushfires around Tasmania, with wet weather arriving to ease conditions. Back-burning around the Riveaux Road fire was delayed due to rain. No more homes have been reported lost.