PERSONAL HARDSHIP ASSISTANCE NOW AVAILABLE FOR ELIGIBLE FLOOD AFFECTED RESIDENTS IN GYMPIE AND DALLARNIL

Personal Hardship Assistance is now available to support flood affected and evacuated communities in the Gympie and North Burnett areas, as South-East Queensland’s flood emergency continues to unfold.

Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) for flood-affected residents within the defined evacuation area in Gympie and the town of Dallarnil within the North Burnett Regional Council area.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said the DRFA assistance would provide grants of up to $180 per person, to a maximum of $900 for a family of five or more to eligible people experiencing financial hardship as a result of the floods.

“It is essential that all those hardest hit by the recent floods have access to assistance,” Minister McKenzie said.

“This is obviously a very distressing situation for many and the activation of the Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme under the DRFA will ensure people who have been severely affected by the floods have immediate support as waters recede and they return home.

“The Australian and Queensland governments continue to work closely to support ongoing recovery efforts and identify where further assistance may be required to ensure all impacted communities have the best possible support.

The Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme is there to cover essential items such as food and clothing for people who are doing it tough as a result of the floods.

“This is proving to be a devastating event and the Australian and Queensland governments are working together and stand ready to extend DRFA assistance to wherever it is needed,” Minister McKenzie said.

Queensland Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan said grants are also available to assist with the safe reconnection of essential services, once residents are able to safely return to their homes.

“I would like to extend my thanks to the hard working emergency service workers who have been working around the clock to ensure the safety of the community as floods continue to inundate many parts of the south east.

“In Gympie, hundreds of residents have been evacuated as we prepare for the Mary River to peak at heights not seen for more than two decades. Already we’ve seen the River reach beyond the heights of the 2011 and 2013 floods.

“In Dallarnil, we’re seeing properties washed out and residents affected who have only just started recovering from the devastation of the Ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth flooding event last month.

“Today’s announcement adds to the DRFA assistance already available for councils in Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Noosa, North Burnett, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba to fund counter disaster operations. In addition, councils in the hard hit areas of Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, North Burnett, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba have also been activated for DRFA assistance for the restoration of essential public assets.

“As this situation continues to unfold, we’re expecting assistance will be extended to other impacted communities.”

For information on Personal Hardship Assistance and Essential Services Hardship Assistance, contact the Community Recovery Hotline 1800 173 349 or visit www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies.

Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Queensland Reconstruction Authority’s website at www.qra.qld.gov.au    

ENDS