Personal Hardship Grants are now available through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) for eligible flood-affected residents in Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Moreton Bay, Gympie, Noosa, Somerset, Gold Coast and Gladstone.
Residents in parts of the Fraser Coast and Sunshine Coast local government areas (LGA) impacted by severe flooding can now access financial assistance and support services, including Emergency Hardship Assistance grants of up to $180 per person and $900 for a family of five or more.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience Senator Bridget McKenzie said the DRFA personal hardship assistance was in addition to a range of assistance already available in response to the floods.
“This is the worst flood to hit South East Queensland since the summer of disasters in 2010-11 with the full impacts yet to be completely understood, however, we know thousands of residents in these areas have been affected.
“Grants are also available now to flood-impacted residents in these three council areas to assist with the safe reconnection for essential services once people can return to their homes.
“Recovery takes time and the process is tough enough without the extra burden of financial pressures.
“The Australian and Queensland Governments will continue to work together to identify what additional assistance is required as we start the road to recovery from this major event,” she said.
Queensland Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan said DRFA personal hardship assistance was now available in eight local government areas in South East Queensland.
“Some of the scenes we have witnessed have been absolutely heart-breaking but as Queenslanders we come together in these times of need,” Minister Ryan said.
“There have been reports of up to 57,000 residences without power during these floods and some communities may be without power for several days as crews need to wait for waters to recede before they can inspect, clean and repair inundated damaged electricity assets.
“However, we are committed to providing all the support we can and now flood-impacted residents in Brisbane, Logan and Noosa can access this assistance, which was already available in Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Moreton Bay and Somerset.
“In addition, the City of Gold Coast and Logan City Council have also been activated for DRFA assistance for the repair and reconstruction of damaged essential public infrastructure.
“We have seen how quickly this event has moved and we stand ready to provide further assistance and support as more information becomes available,” he said.
For a full list of the activated areas across South-East Queensland, including in the Fraser Coast and Sunshine Coast LGAs and the additional areas in the Logan and the Noosa LGAs, visit the QLD Government Disasters & Emergencies website, or contact the Community Recovery Hotline 1800 173 349.
Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Queensland Reconstruction Authority’s website.
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