Community spirit rises above floodwaters

The spirit of Christmas has new meaning for more than 30 flood-ravaged households across the Bundaberg, North Burnett and Gladstone regions thanks to a dedicated group of local volunteers and tradespeople.

Community Recovery and Resilience Minister David Crisafulli said the Community Rebuild Project team had so far repaired 34 homes for residents who desperately needed help and had nowhere else to turn after the January floods.

“Out of the mud and devastation has emerged a team of people determined to help the vulnerable get back on their feet,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“Together they mobilised volunteers and tradespeople to contribute their skills at little or no cost to ensure each home was repaired.”

Forty seven homes have so far been identified as being within the scope of the Community Rebuild Project including 37 in the Bundaberg region, seven in the North Burnett region and three in the lower Gladstone region.

Home owner Allison Sheppard was full of admiration for the Community Rebuild Team.

“Whatever good things you may hear about the Rebuild Group, times it by 10,” Ms Sheppard said.

“If it wasn't for the group helping us we would be spending Christmas in the camper trailer in the backyard.”

Disaster Recovery Coordinator, Inspector Kevin Guteridge, said his team and other State agencies worked together to identify those most in need.

“The generosity of business and the community has secured more than $100,000 in materials and cash to support the restoration of the victims’ homes,” Inspector Guteridge said.

Nearly 80 volunteers, led by the Salvation Army’s Dave Wilkinson, with the help of Robert Brough and Terri Litchfield, have already contributed 6,970 hours of work to the Community Rebuild Project.

“There is an enormous sense of satisfaction in knowing that you are helping people in their time of need. It's about giving a hand-up,” Project Manager David Wilkinson said.

[ENDS] 12 December 2013

Media Contact: Andrew Longmire 0418 216 627