Community recovery centre for flood affected Gold Coast residents

Gold Coast residents affected by flooding and storms can now access financial assistance and support services at a local community recovery centre.

Communities Minister Tracy Davis said one of the Queensland Government’s community recovery centres had been set up at the Albert Waterways Community Centre for affected local residents.

The details are:
 
Albert Waterways Community Centre
Corner Hooker Blvd and Sunshine Blvd, Mermaid Waters
Opening hours: 8:30am – 5:30pm

“We are committed to ensuring that residents in severely affected areas receive the support they need,” Ms Davis said.

“Residents can talk to community recovery workers, apply for grants and receive assistance from community organisations at these centres.”

Ms Davis said Personal Hardship Assistance grants were already being offered by the Queensland Government to help cover the costs of essential items such as food, clothing and accommodation immediately after the floods and storms.

“A grant of up to $180 per person, to a maximum of $900 for a family of five or more, is available to people experiencing genuine hardship,” she said.

Essential Household Contents Grants, Structural Assistance Grants and Essential Services Safety Reconnection Scheme Grants are also available for individuals and families affected by this widespread disaster.

“Essential Household Contents Grants may be available to low-income families to help with the replacement or repair of uninsured, essential household contents which have been lost, damaged or destroyed by the storm,” Ms Davis said.

"Additionally, owners of houses that have sustained structural damage and who are not insured may be eligible to receive a Structural Assistance Grant of up to $14,685 per household.

“For those owners who are uninsured, or unable to claim insurance, you may also be eligible for Essential Services Safety Reconnection Scheme Grants to help you reconnect essential services that were damaged by a disaster.”

Ms Davis said there were two parts to this grant:

·         Inspection: up to $200 towards a safety inspection for each essential service needing reconnection (electricity, gas, water and sewerage or septic system)

·         Repair: up to $4200 towards repair work to enable essential services to be reconnected (for example, electrical rewiring).

“These grants are income and asset tested and applicants must meet certain criteria,” she said.

People who are experiencing personal hardship due to the storm should contact the Department of Communities on 1800 173 349 for support.

[ENDS] 31 January 2013

Media Contact: Sarah Gullo 0417 172 480