Queensland Government agencies continue to work to ensure community safety during the floods.
Published Tuesday, 22 January, 2008 at 04:54 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Premier Anna Bligh, who has travelled to Charleville and Emerald today, said Queensland Government agencies would continue to work to ensure the safety of tens of thousands of people affected by the widespread flooding across much of Queensland.
“With many homes inundated and many more isolated, yet again today Queenslanders have proved how resourceful and community minded they can be,” Ms Bligh said.
“Here in Emerald it is still not clear that the floods have reached their peak.”
The State Government has distributed more than $85,000 in emergency assistance payments to individuals experiencing hardship as a result of the floods.
The Premier said the government has made more than 225 payments, accepted around 80 applications for Essential Household Contents Grants and about 15 applications for Structural Assistance Grants.
“The Department of Communities has visited more than 780 households across the state to check on the welfare of families,” Ms Bligh said.
“Some 250 calls have been received by the Disaster Relief Hotline, which connects people in need to their regional office for assistance.
Premier Bligh said the areas requesting the most assistance were still the Whitsunday, Gold Coast and Beaudesert areas, where flood waters had receded.
“The extent of damage in rural areas such as Blackall, Charleville, Clermont, Emerald and Finch Hatton will not be known until flood waters clear,” she said.
“When this happens, Community Recovery outreach teams will be out in force to offer much-needed emotional and financial assistance.
“Outreach teams are already active is many areas across the state, where flood waters have subsided and access is available.”
Ms Bligh said One Stop Shops, which had been established in Beaudesert and on the Gold Coast, would also be set-up in other areas over the coming days.
“One Stop Shops will commence operation in Emerald and Finch Hatton tomorrow, and Charleville from Thursday,” she said.
“In Emerald, the Department of Communities and Centrelink staff will be on-hand to provide information about available government assistance.”
Ms Bligh said the government was working closely with non-government organisations, such as Lifeline, the Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul and the Red Cross, to ensure Queenslanders had access to a range of practical assistance as well as counselling.
Communities Minister Lindy-Nelson Carr said one-off emergency assistance was available to people who can demonstrate genuine hardship as a result of the storms and flooding. The payment will not be income or asset-tested.
“People affected by flooding can apply for grants of up to $160 per person and $740 per family for essential items,” she said.
Other financial assistance may also be available for repairs to structural damage or replacement of essential household goods directly attributed to the storms and flooding where people do not have access to insurance. These payments are both income and asset-tested.
For further information, visit www.communities.qld.gov.au or call the Disaster Relief Hotline on 1800 440 074. Assistance for primary producers and small businesses, in the form of low interest loans, is also available through the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority. For more information, visit www.qraa.qld.gov.au
The Premier said all government agencies would continue to “work around the clock to predict flood impacts, plan for inundation and protect communities as the flood waters move through Queensland’s swollen river systems.
“We’re also doing the work to ensure that recovery and rebuilding work can get underway as soon as the flood water recede across the affected region.
“The State Disaster Management Group is continuing to meet to ensure all of our government agencies are doing everything they can to help people suffering due to the flood.
“So far the floods have led to the evacuation of approximately 2,500 people. Some 2048 people have registered with the Red Cross as evacuees.
“While in the long term the flood will prove a boon for the pastoral and agricultural industries, the short-term pain and disruption will be significant,” Ms Bligh said.
She said she was pleased to have been advised by the Queensland Police that it had NOT been necessary for them to use their powers to evacuate homeowners, as all affected residents taking police direction.
Premier Bligh reminded drivers to check with Police before attempting to drive through the flooded region and to always head Police advice on road closures.
People affected by the flooding can call the Queensland Government Disaster Recovery hotline – 1800 440 074 for information and assistance.
Tuesday January 22, 2008
Media contact – Office of the Premier – 3224 4500
“With many homes inundated and many more isolated, yet again today Queenslanders have proved how resourceful and community minded they can be,” Ms Bligh said.
“Here in Emerald it is still not clear that the floods have reached their peak.”
The State Government has distributed more than $85,000 in emergency assistance payments to individuals experiencing hardship as a result of the floods.
The Premier said the government has made more than 225 payments, accepted around 80 applications for Essential Household Contents Grants and about 15 applications for Structural Assistance Grants.
“The Department of Communities has visited more than 780 households across the state to check on the welfare of families,” Ms Bligh said.
“Some 250 calls have been received by the Disaster Relief Hotline, which connects people in need to their regional office for assistance.
Premier Bligh said the areas requesting the most assistance were still the Whitsunday, Gold Coast and Beaudesert areas, where flood waters had receded.
“The extent of damage in rural areas such as Blackall, Charleville, Clermont, Emerald and Finch Hatton will not be known until flood waters clear,” she said.
“When this happens, Community Recovery outreach teams will be out in force to offer much-needed emotional and financial assistance.
“Outreach teams are already active is many areas across the state, where flood waters have subsided and access is available.”
Ms Bligh said One Stop Shops, which had been established in Beaudesert and on the Gold Coast, would also be set-up in other areas over the coming days.
“One Stop Shops will commence operation in Emerald and Finch Hatton tomorrow, and Charleville from Thursday,” she said.
“In Emerald, the Department of Communities and Centrelink staff will be on-hand to provide information about available government assistance.”
Ms Bligh said the government was working closely with non-government organisations, such as Lifeline, the Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul and the Red Cross, to ensure Queenslanders had access to a range of practical assistance as well as counselling.
Communities Minister Lindy-Nelson Carr said one-off emergency assistance was available to people who can demonstrate genuine hardship as a result of the storms and flooding. The payment will not be income or asset-tested.
“People affected by flooding can apply for grants of up to $160 per person and $740 per family for essential items,” she said.
Other financial assistance may also be available for repairs to structural damage or replacement of essential household goods directly attributed to the storms and flooding where people do not have access to insurance. These payments are both income and asset-tested.
For further information, visit www.communities.qld.gov.au or call the Disaster Relief Hotline on 1800 440 074. Assistance for primary producers and small businesses, in the form of low interest loans, is also available through the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority. For more information, visit www.qraa.qld.gov.au
The Premier said all government agencies would continue to “work around the clock to predict flood impacts, plan for inundation and protect communities as the flood waters move through Queensland’s swollen river systems.
“We’re also doing the work to ensure that recovery and rebuilding work can get underway as soon as the flood water recede across the affected region.
“The State Disaster Management Group is continuing to meet to ensure all of our government agencies are doing everything they can to help people suffering due to the flood.
“So far the floods have led to the evacuation of approximately 2,500 people. Some 2048 people have registered with the Red Cross as evacuees.
“While in the long term the flood will prove a boon for the pastoral and agricultural industries, the short-term pain and disruption will be significant,” Ms Bligh said.
She said she was pleased to have been advised by the Queensland Police that it had NOT been necessary for them to use their powers to evacuate homeowners, as all affected residents taking police direction.
Premier Bligh reminded drivers to check with Police before attempting to drive through the flooded region and to always head Police advice on road closures.
People affected by the flooding can call the Queensland Government Disaster Recovery hotline – 1800 440 074 for information and assistance.
Tuesday January 22, 2008
Media contact – Office of the Premier – 3224 4500