PERSONAL HARDSHIP ASSISTANCE EXTENDED TO MORE FLOOD AFFECTED COMMUNITIES ACROSS SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND

Personal hardship assistance has been extended to more flood-affected individuals and families in the Brisbane, Logan and Noosa local government areas as the South East Queensland flood emergency continues.

Personal Hardship Grants are now available through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Federal Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said the DRFA personal hardship assistance was in addition to a range of assistance already available in response to the floods.

“Grants of up to $180 per person, to a maximum of $900 for a family of five or more to eligible people in flood affected areas of Brisbane, Logan and Noosa to alleviate personal hardship and distress,” Minister McKenzie said.

“This is the worst flood to hit South East Queensland since the summer of disasters in 2010-11 with the full impacts yet to be completely understood, however, we know thousands of residents in these areas have been affected.

“Grants are also available now to flood-impacted residents in these three council areas to assist with the safe reconnection for essential services once people can return to their homes.

“Recovery takes time and the process is tough enough without the extra burden of financial pressures.

“The Australian and Queensland Governments will continue to work together to identify what additional assistance is required as we start the road to recovery from this major event,” she said.

Queensland Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan said DRFA personal hardship assistance was now available in eight local government areas in South East Queensland.

“Some of the scenes we have witnessed have been absolutely heart-breaking but as Queenslanders we come together in these times of need,” Minister Ryan said.

“There have been reports of up to 57,000 residences without power during these floods and some communities may be without power for several days as crews need to wait for waters to recede before they can inspect, clean and repair inundated damaged electricity assets.

“However, we are committed to providing all the support we can and now flood-impacted residents in Brisbane, Logan and Noosa can access this assistance, which was already available in Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Moreton Bay and Somerset.

“In addition, the City of Gold Coast and Logan City Council have also been activated for DRFA assistance for the repair and reconstruction of damaged essential public infrastructure.

“We have seen how quickly this event has moved and we stand ready to provide further assistance and support as more information becomes available,” he said.

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