Hailstorm hardship assistance for 15 Brisbane suburbs

• Income-tested disaster hardship payments available to eligible residents in 15 Brisbane suburbs.
• Support can help vulnerable, uninsured residents with various recovery costs including the reconnection of services and repairs to the home.
• Assistance provided under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Eligible Brisbane residents in 15 suburbs can now access a range of targeted Personal Hardship Assistance in response to last month’s hailstorms.

The income-tested support, provided by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments under joint Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), is for uninsured residents who suffered property damage from the storms and subsequent power outages.

Activated Brisbane suburbs include Ashgrove, Bardon, Boondall, Ferny Grove, Gumdale, Keperra, Lota, Manly, Manly West, Mount Crosby, Ransome, The Gap, Wakerley, Wynnum, Wynnum West.

Three assistance measures are available to eligible residents:

• Structural Assistance Grants – up to $80,000 for uninsured, income-tested owner-occupiers towards the repair or replacement of a disaster damaged dwelling to return it to a safe and habitable condition.
• Essential Household Contents Grants – income-tested assistance for uninsured residents, up to $1,765 for individuals and up to $5,300 for couples or families to replace destroyed essential household contents like whitegoods.
• Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme – income-tested grants up to $5,000 per household for uninsured homeowners needing to reconnect services like electricity, gas, water or sewerage.

For more information on the grants, eligibility and how to apply, visit www.disaster.qld.gov.au.

Queenslanders can also call the 24/7 Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said more people than ever before are feeling the effects of severe weather, and it’s important that appropriate support is available.

“November’s storms are a clear example that disaster events are increasing in both strength and frequency, but we’re determined to match that intensity with our response and recovery,” Minister McBain said.

“We will continue to extend DRFA assistance where it’s needed to ensure south-east Queensland communities impacted by recent hailstorms receive the help they need.”

Queensland Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy said the targeted financial measures will make sure residents most exposed to severe weather impacts are cared for.

“These grants will secure a safe and habitable home for Queenslanders in desperate need of a helping hand,” Minister Leahy said.

“We know the importance of getting people through the tough times and we’ll continue to work with all levels of government to make sure local recovery needs are met.”

ENDS

Media contacts:
Minister McBain: David Jean 0467 559 492
Minister Leahy: Kyah Devine 0424 670 963