Ready Reserves now working in flood-affected areas of Innisfail

The Palaszczuk Government is continuing to support residents in flood-affected parts of North Queensland with Ready Reserves working to provide targeted outreach support in Innisfail.

During a visit to some of the worst-impacted areas of Innisfail, Communities Minister Coralee O’Rourke today (March 15) met with some of the Ready Reserves and local residents to offer her support.

“Now that roads have opened and some of the most impacted areas are accessible, we have been sending in our dedicated community recovery workers to visit affected residents and provide face-to-face help and support,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“Targeted outreach means support is directed to those who need it the most, and residents can talk to community recovery workers at their own home and not disrupt their clean-up efforts.

“The outreach workers can provide residents with referrals to community organisations and other government agencies and assist people who are experiencing hardship to apply for grants. 

Outreach teams are currently visiting the flood-affected parts of Webb, East Innisfail and South Innisfail.

Mrs O’Rourke said the Queensland Government now had 160 Ready Reserves currently supporting the recovery effort across North and Far North Queensland.

“The Ready Reserves are Queensland Government employees from around the State who are drawn from 21 government agencies,” she said.

“The Australian Red Cross is also working with us in the outreach operation in Innisfail.

“Red Cross volunteers have joined with our Ready Reserve teams to offer on-the-spot information and support to people who need a helping hand after the flooding.”

Eligible applicants can now apply for one-off Emergency Hardship grants of $180 per person, up to $900 for a family of five or more, to buy essential items like food, clothing and medications or to help cover the costs of alternative accommodation if they can’t live at home.

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

Financial assistance is available through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

For more information or to apply for grants, download the Self Recovery app, go to the Community Recovery online portal at www.communityrecovery.qld.gov.au or call the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

ENDS

Media Contact: Benjamin Mulcahy 0419 562 389