PERSONAL HARDSHIP ASSISTANCE NOW AVAILABLE FOR MORE FLOOD AFFECTED COMMUNITIES ACROSS SOUTH-EAST QUEENSLAND

Personal hardship assistance has been extended to more flood-affected individuals and families across South East Queensland, as flooding continues to affect the region.

Personal Hardship Grants are now available through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) for eligible flood-affected residents in Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Moreton Bay and Somerset. Grants have also been extended to the entire local government area of Gympie Regional Council and assessments are currently underway in respect of possible activations for possible hardship assistance for residents in parts of the Brisbane and Logan government areas.

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 a maximum of $900 for a family of five or more or $180 per person, to eligible people experiencing financial hardship as a result of the floods.

“Today’s announcement extends the availability of these grants to all flood-affected residents dealing with personal hardship in the Gympie Regional Council area, in addition to the local government areas of Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Moreton Bay and Somerset.

“These payments are designed to cover essential items such as food and clothing for people who are doing it tough as a result of the floods, in addition to the reconnection of essential services once it’s safe to return home.”

Queensland Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan said DRFA assistance was also being extended to Gladstone Regional Council to assist with clean-up operations and the repair of essential public assets damaged in the floods.

“Queensland has not faced an event of this scale for many years, and the Australian and Queensland governments are continuing to work closely with local governments, and communities, to extend DRFA assistance where it is needed,” Minister Ryan said.

“This is a major event and we’re committed to ensuring all flood-affected people have access to the support they need to help them through these challenging times.

“This is an unfolding situation and we stand ready to further extend DRFA relief measures to communities as more impacts are fully understood.

“Areas affected by flooding in Brisbane and Logan are currently being assessed for the provision of personal hardship financial assistance and those assessments are being progressed as a matter of priority.

“The Australian and Queensland governments continue to work closely to support ongoing recovery efforts and identify where further assistance is required to ensure all flooded communities have the assistance they need to get back on their feet.”

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