Residents cut off by floods in parts of the Gulf of Carpentaria are entering their second month of employment shortages while businesses record mass cancellations for the upcoming tourist season.
Carpentaria Shire mayor Jack Bawden said people had not worked "for a long time".
"And they're not looking like starting work anytime soon," he said.
"There's no light at the end of the tunnel just yet."
Andrew Murphy, who runs a plumbing business out of Normanton that services the entire Gulf region, said he made big cuts to shifts.
"It's been four weeks without work for us," he said.
"We can't get materials in for work.
"The employees, they're all on reduced hours and they've been really good but there's only so many times you can sweep the shed and clean the shelves."
He said the shortage was having a ripple effect on businesses across the region.
"It's hard on everyone … it means you don't have as much to spend at the shops, it's having an ongoing effect on the restaurants, cafes, servos, pubs up here," he said.
"It will be another month before we're back to normal."
Mr Murphy said some businesses had recorded mass cancellations for the upcoming tourist season.
"I was talking to the owners of a motel in Karumba and of course they've got no one coming through but they've still got to pay their workers so they don't lose them," he said.
"And now they're getting all these cancellations for the next school holidays because people are worried about conditions for fishing.
"That's wrong, we're going to have the best fishing we've had for years because of the floodwater — the barra fishing is going to be the best it has been for a long time."
Disaster payments 'laughable'
Until Friday, disaster payments of $180 for individuals and $900 for families who had been directly impacted by floods were available from the state government.
"$180 is laughable," Mr Murphy said.
"The thought is there I guess, but that is probably four bags of groceries.
"We could do with a lot more help, especially the employees because they're suffering."
The federal government on Friday announced further financial assistance in the form of a one-off payment of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child who had been directly impacted by floodwater.
A disaster recovery allowance was also made available for those who had lost income as a result of the floods.
Mr Murphy urged Australians to make the region their next holiday destination as communities across the Gulf faced months of recovery.
"We're going to have an amazing fishing season up here," he said.
"So be sure to put us on the map for your next trip."
