PERSONAL HARDSHIP ASSISTANCE NOW AVAILABLE FOR FLOOD IMPACTED AREAS IN MORETON BAY REGION

Personal hardship disaster assistance has now been extended to residents of impacted streets in the Moreton Bay Regional Council area to assist impacted individuals and families affected by the recent rainfall and flooding.

Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Bridget McKenzie, said the Australian Government would always stand with Queenslanders after a natural disaster.

“The DRFA extension to residents of impacted streets in the Moreton Bay Regional Council area will assist the community to recover from the current unseasonal deluge. We will continue to work with the Queensland Government to ensure that people affected receive the support they need,” Minister McKenzie said. 

Queensland Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan said personal hardship disaster assistance would help meet the immediate essential needs of flood impacted residents such as food, temporary accommodation, clothing and medication.  

“Grants of up to $180 per person, to a maximum of $900 for a family of five or more, are now available to eligible people experiencing financial hardship as a result of the floods that impacted a number of streets in the Moreton Bay Regional Council area,” Minister Ryan said.

“Grants are also available to assist with the safe reconnection of essential services once those residents return to their homes.

“It is essential that those hardest hit by this latest flooding have access to the assistance they need to help them get back on their feet.

“Thankfully rain across impacted regions appears to be easing, however localised flooding continues to be experienced, with a number of road closures still in place. 

“If you absolutely need to be travelling today, the message is very simple and very clear: if it’s flooded, forget it,” he said.

For information on Personal Hardship Assistance, and for the latest list of locations which are eligible, contact the Community Recovery Hotline 1800 173 349 or visit www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies.

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

In total, 12 LGAs have been activated for DRFA assistance in response to the Southern Queensland rainfall and flooding event, including: Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gladstone, Gold Coast, Gympie, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, North Burnett, South Burnett, Southern Downs and Toowoomba.

In addition to parts of Moreton Bay, Personal hardship disaster assistance has been activated to help flood-affected residents in the Lockyer Valley and Southern Downs.

Media contacts:

Minister Mckenzie: David Edghill 0477 417 516
Minister Ryan: Phil Willmington 0411 535 180