Community recovery hub opens in Townsville

Published Tuesday, 05 February, 2019 at 02:00 PM

Minister for Communities and Minister for Disability Services and Seniors
The Honourable Coralee O'Rourke

A community recovery hub has been opened in Townsville today by the Palaszczuk Government to provide financial assistance and support services to local residents who have been affected by the widespread flooding across the city.

Communities Minister Coralee O’Rourke Visited the hub today and said Townsville had been particularly hard-hit by flooding from the monsoon trough, with thousands of residents still unable to return to their homes.

“We know it’s a very distressing and difficult time for many Townsville residents as the extent of the flooding becomes clearer, but we are here to help the community recover,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“The Community Recovery Hub will help local residents experiencing hardship to access Emergency Hardship Assistance grants.

“These grants have been available via our Community Recovery Hotline and at www.communityrecovery.qld.gov.au and this hub will provide another way for eligible people to access grants.

“Townsville locals will be able to go to the hub to talk to community recovery workers and receive referrals for support services.”

The hub is located at the Ground Floor, State Government Building, 187 – 209 Stanley Street (corner of Stanley and Walker), Townsville and will open 9 am to 5pm daily, seven days a week.

More hubs are expected to open in Townsville in the coming days as flood waters recede and access to affected areas improves.

Mrs O’Rourke said this would be a long-term community recovery effort to ensure this community can get back on its feet.

“We are here for the long haul to provide the support and assistance people need to recover so people do not need to rush in,” she said.

“The community recovery effort will continue to expand to meet this community’s needs.”

Mrs O’Rourke said Emergency Hardship Assistance grants help cover the costs of essential items such as food, clothing, medication and accommodation.

“These 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,” she said.

“We know people right across Townsville are experiencing hardship due to this event, that is why I would urge locals to apply for this assistance.

“I also want to remind people to make sure they enter the required details such as drivers licence and Medicare card information exactly as it appears on that documentation so we can process your grant payment as quickly as possible.”

Other grants such the Essential Household Contents Grant and Structural Assistance Grant, which are income tested, are also available to eligible residents in these areas who are uninsured and have experienced certain loss or damage following this disaster.

People who are experiencing personal hardship due to flooding can 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