Last chance to apply for immediate cyclone financial relief

Published Thursday, 12 March, 2015 at 04:23 PM

Minister for Communities, Women and Youth, Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Shannon Fentiman

Rockhampton, Livingstone and Banana shire residents severely affected by Tropical Cyclone Marcia have until close of business Saturday 14 March to apply for Immediate Hardship Assistance.

For residents from North Burnett and Gladstone (west of Bruce Highway) local government areas, applications for Immediate Hardship Assistance close at the close of business Tuesday 17 March.

The Yeppoon Community Recovery Hub (at Yeppoon Town Hall) will transition to a Community Recovery, Referral and Information Centre (CRRIC) at 12 James Street (old Betta Electrical store) at close of business Friday (13 March) where people can get information about grant applications and be referred to other services.

The Rockhampton Community Recovery Hub will remain open next week and will transition to a CRRIC once a suitable location is found.

Communities Minister Shannon Fentiman said the Palaszczuk Government had already provided almost $4 million in Immediate Hardship Assistance for almost 22,000 residents but demand was easing for these payments.

“The closure of the Immediate Hardship Assistance was due to close after seven days but the Palaszczuk Government extended it to three weeks to ensure everyone had an opportunity to apply for assistance,” Ms Fentiman said.

“We will shortly transition to the next phase of our community recovery operations in the local government areas of Rockhampton, Livingstone, Banana and North Burnett along with parts of Gladstone,” she said.

“We are seeing many affected individuals and families starting to get back on their feet, and demand for the Immediate Hardship Assistance has significantly decreased.

“I have been so impressed at the resilience and community spirit I’ve seen first-hand during my visits to many of the affected areas.”

A small area in the Isaac Regional Council was activated on Friday 6 March 2015 to extend outreach assistance as well as access to assistance through the Red Cross for power outage over seven days. 

Food vouchers for Power Loss Assistance for people who have been without power for seven days or more will continue to be available through the Red Cross in all activated areas.

“The Red Cross has distributed almost $5 million worth of vouchers to more than 22,000 people so far and this is on top of the Immediate Hardship Assistance,” Ms Fentiman said.

Ms Fentiman said affected residents could continue to call the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 for assistance.

“We know that many areas face a long recovery from this disaster and we will continue to support local communities as we move into a medium to longer-term recovery phase,” she said.

“The Essential Household Contents Grants, Structural Assistance Grants and Essential Services Safety Reconnection Scheme Grants remain available for individuals and families affected by this widespread disaster.”

People who are experiencing personal hardship due to Tropical Cyclone Marcia should contact the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 or go to www.qld.gov.au/community for further information.

 If people need counselling services, please phone 1800 543 354.

 

Media Contact:                                  Minister Fentiman’s Office     3719 7500