Community recovery hubs open in Maryborough, Gatton, Ormeau and Palm Beach

The Queensland Government is continuing to support flood-affected areas across the state, with community recovery hubs now open in Maryborough, Gatton, Ormeau and Palm Beach.

Minister for Communities and Housing Leeanne Enoch said residents could visit the Maryborough, Gatton, Palm Beach and Ormeau Community Recovery Hubs to get face-to-face financial assistance and emotional support.

“We know these areas have been hard hit by the recent flooding, and these hubs are places where people impacted can speak to community recovery workers, apply for grants and be referred to other support organisations,” Ms Enoch said.

“Partner agencies, which can include Red Cross, Lifeline and the Salvation Army, will also have representatives on site along with Services Australia and insurers.

“Officers at the hubs can also provide housing support to displaced homeowners, people in the private rental market, social housing tenants, and homeless people impacted by the floods.”

Minister Enoch said the hubs at the Maryborough Pensioner Hall, 84 Adelaide Street, Maryborough, the Gatton RSL Services Club 52 Crescent St, Gatton, the Ormeau Community Centre, 1-5 Arthur Way, Ormeau and Palm Beach Community Centre, 26 11^th Avenue, Palm Beach, will be open from 9am to 5pm seven days a week from today.

“Additional community recovery hubs will continue to be opened in the coming days as we identify areas of need and access to impacted communities continues to improve,” she said.

Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders welcomed the opening of the hub, while noting how important it is that locals know that help and grants are available.

“Many in our community have been heavily impacted by this disaster and I encourage people who are experiencing hardship and need assistance to visit the community recovery hub,” he said.

Gold Coast based Minister, Meaghan Scanlon, praised the resilience and ingenuity of residence across the Gold Coast, while encouraging those who need help to attend the hubs set up in Ormeau and Palm Beach.

“Representatives from community organisations including Lifeline, Red Cross and Salvation Army will be there alongside the community recovery workers to offer much needed help and support,” she said.

The Community Recovery Hotline can be contacted on 1800 173 349.

Queenslanders can also visit www.qld.gov.au/SEQRecoveryGrants for information and locations of community recovery hubs, to check their eligibility for grants and apply online.

Financial assistance is available for residents in activated flood-affected communities, including Emergency Hardship Assistance grants, of up to $180 per person and $900 for a family of five or more, to help cover the costs of essential items, such as food, medication and clothing.

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

Financial assistance is available under jointly-funded Commonwealth/State-Disaster Relief Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

For a full list of the activated areas across South-East Queensland visit www.qld.gov.au/SEQRecoveryGrants.

ENDS

Media contact: Bill Walker 0437 859 987