Damage assessment shows full scale of South East Queensland flooding impact

The Queensland Government has revealed the extent of the damage to homes and businesses in South East Queensland following the recent severe rainfall and flooding.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said in the past two weeks over 16,500 assessments of homes and commercial buildings had been undertaken.

“The recent flooding seen in South East Queensland has been a catastrophic event on a scale we haven’t seen since 2011,” The Premier said.

“The Insurance Council of Australia have advised that more than 70,000 private insurance claims have already been received reaching $1 billion, with residents and businesses in these areas suffering significant damage to their cars, homes and properties.

“Of the more than 16,500 assessments undertaken on homes and commercial buildings, nearly half have some level of impact, with over 1,800 assessed as having severe levels of damage, over 2,500 with moderate damage and nearly 3,500 with minor levels of damage.

“Many properties have suffered costly water damage, from flooding as well as from roof leaks that developed during the heavy, sustained rainfall.

“My government will use this information and work closely with impacted councils, insurers and the building industry to see Queensland communities recover.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning Steven Miles said the 16,500 assessments were undertaken by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES), supported by staff from the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA).

“Over the last two weeks, officers have been going street-by-street, house-by-house and business-by-business in impacted areas, inspecting the damage and surveying residents and owners about a range of issues, including accessibility to water and electricity, to determine the true extent of the damage,” Mr Miles said.

“While some of these properties will be repaired quickly, others may be uninhabitable for months, if not longer.   

“Queensland Government owned assets weren’t immune either, with over 4,400 assessed as being damaged.

“Of these, 85 State Schools were damaged, with six unable to fully reopen (Milton State School; Rocklea State School; Milperra State High School; Aviation High; One Mile State School; and St Helens State School).

“The information collected during this assessment will be shared with state agencies, impacted councils and other stakeholders to inform the ongoing recovery efforts.”

“The Queensland Government has worked to unlock Personal Hardship Assistance Grants for those impacted residents, including additional options for those who aren’t insured. For more information, impacted Queenslanders can visit the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy website or call the Community Hotline on 1800 173 349.”

Mr Miles said the information will also help inform the development of a State Recovery Plan.

“The State Recovery Coordinator, Major-General Jake Ellwood, is working closely with the QRA and key stakeholders to commence this plan which will include programs that address all of the issues that people are facing – their housing, their amenities and their mental health,” Mr Miles said.

“It’s early days and we need to take time to get the plan right – and make sure that it is guided by local priorities, that it is sustainable and that we are left more resilient to future disasters after we’ve followed it through.”

For more information on the damage assessments, visit QRA’s website at www.qra.qld.gov.au/darm.

ENDS

Media contacts: Amy Hunter 0423 651 484