Additional locations activated for disaster assistance following damaging SEQ storms

Personal hardship payments have been extended to include eligible residents in Logan City Council and Scenic Rim Regional Council areas, as well as an additional location in City of Gold Coast, in response to the severe storms in South-East Queensland on Christmas night.

People living in the following localities can access the assistance, made available through Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA):

This includes grants of $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five or more to cover the costs of essentials like food, clothing and medicine.

A range of other support measures are also available to eligible individuals to help make their home safe to live in, replace household contents, and reconnect essential services like electricity, water and sewerage.

• Logan City Council - Cedar Creek, Cedar Grove, Cedar Vale, Flagstone, Glenlogan, Jimboomba, Kairabah, Mundoolun, Riverbend, Tamborine, Veresdale, Veresdale Scrub, Woodhill, and Yarrabilba.
• Scenic Rim Regional Council - Canungra, Tamborine, Tamborine Mountain, Beaudesert and Kooralbyn.
• City of Gold Coast –Tallai (in additional to previously announced localities).

The Queensland Reconstruction Authority will continue monitoring local recovery efforts and stands ready to activate further DRFA support where required.

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt:

“The impact of these storms has been felt across a significant number of suburbs and local government areas in South East Queensland, so as the damage can be assessed, we continue to roll out support where needed.

“The Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme has been activated for locations that are hardest hit. I’d encourage everyone to see what’s available, including financial support to get power reconnected, repairs for uninsured homes and help to restock spoiled fridges and freezers.”

Quotes attributable to minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Nikki Boyd:

“All three levels of government are working extremely closely to ensure that Queenslanders are looked after in their time of need,” Ms Boyd said.

“If you live in an eligible area and were affected by the storms I urge you to call the Queensland Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 to access financial support.”

Further information:

Previously announced eligible localities in City of Gold Coast:

Disaster support available to eligible residents:

Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme

• Emergency Hardship Assistance Grants – $180 per person, up to $900 for a family of five or more to support immediate essential needs such as food, clothing or medical supplies.
• Structural Assistance Grants – up to $50,000 for uninsured, income-tested owner-occupiers towards the repair or replacement of a disaster damaged dwelling damaged to return it to a safe and habitable condition.
• Essential Services Hardship Assistance – $150 per person, up to $750 for a family of five or more to assist with immediate needs following the loss of essential services at home for more than five consecutive days.

• Essential Household Contents Grants – up to $1,765 for individuals and up to $5,300 for couples or families to replace destroyed essential household contents such as bed linen and white goods.

Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme

• Income-tested grants to help uninsured residents reconnect damaged services like electricity, gas and water. Up to $5,000 per household.

Queenslanders requiring disaster support can contact the

For more visit www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp or www.disasterassist.gov.au.

 
ENDS

Media contacts:
Minister Watt: Tali Eley 0499 770 772
Minister Boyd: Bill Walker 0437 859 987