Queensland moving from disaster management to recovery

The response to ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie and associated severe flooding is moving from disaster management to recovery. 

The Premier has chaired the final Queensland Disaster Management Committee meeting dealing with ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie at Kedron this afternoon (Monday, 10 April). 

“The first QDMC meeting for Tropical Cyclone Debbie was held on 25 March. This has been a difficult time for thousands of Queenslanders and communities along our coast,” she said. 

At the height of the response, 40 local councils joined representatives from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, Queensland Police Service, Queensland Reconstruction Authority, State Government agencies for key services including health, ambulance, electricity, water, education and housing, as well as the Australian Defence Force and Telstra. 

The Premier said paid tribute to the hard work of Queensland Government staff alongside representatives of local councils, the Australian Defence Force, non-government organisations and so many volunteers to prepare and respond to Debbie and the flooding that followed. 

Brigadier Chris Field has been appointed State Disaster Recovery Coordinator. 

Electricity 

In terms of electricity, the forward deployment of almost 900 Energy Queensland workers and contractors before Debbie crossed the coast has assisted with the reconnection of electricity to the worst affected as soon as possible. 

North Queensland:

Almost 98% - or 63,500 – customers of the total of 65,000 customers to be without power after Debbie have had power restored. There remain 1500 customers without power in the region after 1000 customers had power restored yesterday. 

Rockhampton: 

Currently only 40 customers remain disconnected for community safety, down from a peak of 350 customers being disconnected as the Fitzroy River rose. 

Financial assistance 

More than 38,000 grants have been paid out to Queenslanders in need following TC Debbie, totalling almost $16.5 million. 

Immediate Hardship Payments of $180 per person, or up to $900 for a family of five or more, help cover the cost of essential items such as food, clothing, medicine and accommodation. 

There is still time to apply for disaster relief and the list of eligible suburbs is expanding as we receive more information. 

Call the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349, go online to www.qld.gov.au/communityrecovery or visit a local hub at Mackay, Bowen, Proserpine, Cannonvale, Rockhampton or Beenleigh. 

The Government has deployed 442 Ready Reserve staff to boost recovery efforts. 

Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements 

Current activations (as at 6pm, Friday, April 7 2017) of the Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.

Counter Disaster Operations

• Banana Shire Council
• Burdekin Shire Council
• Central Highlands Regional Council
• Charters Towers Regional Council
• Gladstone Regional Council
• Gold Coast City Council
• Gympie Regional Council
• Hinchinbrook Shire Council
• Ipswich City Council
• Isaac Regional Council
• Livingstone Shire Council
• Lockyer Valley Regional Council
• Logan City Council
• Mackay Regional Council
• Moreton Bay Regional Council
• Noosa Shire Council
• North Burnett Regional Council
• Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council
• Redland City Council
• Rockhampton Regional Council
• Scenic Rim Regional Council
• Somerset Regional Council
• South Burnett Regional Council
• Southern Downs Regional Council
• Sunshine Coast Regional Council
• Toowoomba Regional Council
• Townsville City Council
• Whitsunday Regional Council
• Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council

Restoration of Essential Public Assets

• Banana Shire Council
• Central Highlands Regional Council
• Gladstone Regional Council
• Gold Coast City Council
• Gympie Regional Council
• Ipswich City Council
• Isaac Regional Council
• Livingstone Shire Council
• Lockyer Valley Regional Council
• Logan City Council
• Mackay Regional Council
• Moreton Bay Regional Council
• Noosa Shire Council
• North Burnett Regional Council
• Rockhampton Regional Council
• Scenic Rim Regional Council
• South Burnett Regional Council
• Somerset Regional Council
• Southern Downs Regional Council
• Sunshine Coast Regional Council
• Toowoomba Regional Council
• Whitsunday Regional Council
• Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council 

Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme

• Gold Coast City Council
• Isaac Regional Council
• Livingstone Shire Council
• Logan City Council
• Mackay Regional Council
• Rockhampton Regional Council
• Scenic Rim Regional Council
• Whitsunday Regional Council

Essential Working Capital Loans Scheme for Non-profit organisations

Natural Disaster Assistance (Concessional Loan and Grant Packages) for Non-profit organisations

• Mackay Regional Council
• Whitsunday Regional Council
• Rockhampton Regional Council 

Essential Working Capital Loans Scheme for Small Businesses

Natural Disaster Assistance (Concessional Loans) for Small Businesses

• Gold Coast City Council
• Livingstone Shire Council
• Logan City Council
• Mackay Regional Council
• Rockhampton Regional Council
• Scenic Rim Regional Council
• Whitsunday Regional Council

Essential Working Capital Loans Scheme for Primary Producers

Natural Disaster Assistance (Concessional Loans) for Primary Producers

Freight subsidies to Primary Producers

• Central Highlands Regional Council
• Gladstone Regional Council
• Gold Coast City Council
• Isaac Regional Council
• Livingstone Shire Council
• Lockyer Valley Regional Council
• Logan City Council
• Mackay Regional Council
• Scenic Rim Regional Council
• Whitsunday Regional Council 

Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Premier’s office) 0417 263 791