Still time left to apply for immediate financial relief after bushfires

More than 7,800 people across Central Queensland affected by the recent bushfires have now benefited from Emergency Hardship Assistance grants.

Acting Communities Minister Shannon Fentiman said the value of grants distributed has topped $1.39 million.

“People in Mackay, Gladstone, Livingstone, Bundaberg and Rockhampton local government areas hard-hit by bushfires still have time left to apply for these grants which will begin closing from tomorrow,” Ms Fentiman said.

Details of the grants closures are:

• Residents in The Caves, have until midnight on Wednesday 12 December to apply for grants.
• Residents in Baffle Creek, Deepwater, Oyster Creek, Rules Beach and Taunton have until midnight on Tuesday 18 December to apply for grants
• Residents in Ambrose, Mt Larcom, Machine Creek, Bracewell Campwin Beach, Crediton, Dalrymple Heights, Eungella, Finch Hatton, Netherdale, Sarina Beach, Gracemere, Kabra, Stanwell, Bloomsbury, Broken River, Carmila and Blue Mountain areas have until midnight Wednesday 19 December to apply for grants.
• Residents in Captain Creek, Winfield, Alton Downs and Nine Mile areas have until midnight on Thursday 20 December to apply for grants

Emergency Hardship grants of $180 per person, up to $900 for a family of five or more, have been made available through jointly-funded Commonwealth/State-Disaster Relief Funding Arrangements.

“We’re starting to see the need and demand for these grants decline as affected communities start to focus on their longer-term recovery,” Ms Fentiman said.

“This means we will shortly transition to the next phase of our community recovery operations in these areas.

“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.”

“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.”

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.

“We still have around 90 dedicated Ready Reserves working in bushfire-affected areas to help local residents to get back on their feet,” Ms Fentiman said.

“This includes at our community recovery hubs, where locals can talk to community recovery workers, receive referrals for support services and those who are experiencing hardship can apply for grants.

“The community recovery hubs are continuing to operate at Eungella, Baffle Creek, Mackay, Gracemere, Miriam Vale and Mt Larcom.”

People who are experiencing personal hardship due to the bushfires can also download and use the Self-recovery app, go to www.communityrecovery.qld.gov.au or contact the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

ENDS

Media Contact: Benjamin Mulcahy 0419 562 389