Disaster assistance extended across entire Gold Coast LGA following SEQ storms

Personal hardship payments are now available to all eligible Gold Coast residents following devastating storms experienced over the Christmas and new year period.

Newly activated suburbs include Benowa, Broadbeach, Broadbeach Waters, Bundall, Clear Island Waters, Gilberton, Highland Park, Jacobs Well, Main Beach, Mermaid Beach, Mermaid Waters, Norwell, Southern Moreton Bay Islands, Stapylton, Steiglitz, Surfers Paradise, Woongoolba and Yatala.

Support measures include 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.

Other assistance available to eligible individuals can help repair a home, replace household contents, or reconnect essential services like electricity, water and sewerage.

Disaster affected Gold Coast residents can apply for these measures, made available through Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

The Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme was first activated 27 December 2023 in response to the severe weather of Christmas night for targeted localities in the Gold Coast, Logan and Scenic Rim local government areas.

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt:

“The extent of the damage from wild storms that tore through the Gold Coast has quickly become apparent, and our hearts go out to all those affected.” Minister Watt said.

 “Extending the Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme to the entire City of Gold Coast is an acknowledgment of the impact these storms have had, and the need for targeted disaster support for those impacted by the storms over the past fortnight.

“The people of the Gold Coast can rest assured the Albanese and Miles Governments are focused on the massive response required, and that every effort is being made to help them.”

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

“Rarely, if ever, have storms on the Gold Coast had such widespread impacts,” Ms Boyd said.

“This Personal Hardship Assistance provides direct financial aid to impacted residents, and our emergency crews continue to work around the clock to clear debris and restore connections. 

“The lives of impacted Queenslanders were turned upside down in an instant, but we’re here for them now and for the long haul.

“The Queensland Community Recovery Hotline remains available around the clock on 1800 173 349 for assistance in making claims.”

Further information on 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 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.

For more info and to apply visit www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp or www.disasterassist.gov.au.

ENDS

Media contacts:
Minister Watt: Brock Taylor 0499 779 387
Minister Boyd: Kerryn Manifold 0428 510 973