Five LGAs across South-East Queensland are receiving disaster recovery assistance. Photo: National Emergency Management Agency, Australian Government.
Five local government areas (LGAs) in South-East Queensland have been activated for disaster recovery assistance following damaging hailstorms.
Communities across the area were left without power and roads were impacted as a severe storm downed trees and power lines, lifted roofs from homes and large hailstones damaged property.
The joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) allow Moreton Bay residents in 37 of the worst-hit localities to apply for personal hardship assistance.
Suburbs that qualify for the support include:
- Banksia Beach
- Beachmere
- Bellara
- Bellmere
- Bongaree
- Bracalba
- Campbells Pocket
- Corymbia
- D’Aguilar
- Delaneys Creek
- Donnybrook
- Elimbah
- Godwin Beach
- Greenstone
- Kurwongbah
- Lilywood
- Meldale
- Moorina
- Mount Delaney
- Mount Mee
- Mount Pleasant
- Neurum, Ningi
- Ocean View
- Rocksberg
- Sandstone Point
- Toorbul
- Upper Caboolture
- Wagtail Grove
- Wamuran
- Wamuran Basin
- Waraba, Welsby
- White Patch
- Whiteside
- Woodford
- Woorim.
Grants for individuals of up to $180 and up to $900 for a family of five are available to cover the cost of essentials such as clothing, food and medicine. Other support measures target low-income residents who don’t have insurance.
The Fraser Coast Regional Council, Noosa Shire Council, and Central Highlands and Sunshine Coast regional councils will also receive funds for disaster operations and the reconstruction of public assets. The City of Moreton Bay will be able to recoup the costs of its disaster activities, in addition to other support.
Councils can use support for the clean-up of debris to restore public services and repair damaged infrastructure.
“These storm systems left a significant trail of destruction, so our top priorities are the wellbeing of residents and restoring public safety,” Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said.
“South-East Queensland councils are well versed in disaster response and recovery, and this assistance will make sure they can work without delay.
“Summer is always a challenging period for Queensland, but the Albanese Government is ready to extend all support necessary for communities affected by extreme weather.”
Support from the Federal and State governments includes:
- Essential Services Hardship Assistance — Includes $150 per person, with up to $750 for a family or five or more to assist with urgent needs in the wake of the loss of services at home for more than five days in a row.
- Emergency Hardship Assistance — Includes $180 per person, with up to $900 for a family of five or more for the purchase of immediate essentials for life, such as clothing, medicine and food.
- Essential Household Contents Grants — An income-tested measure for assistance for uninsured people, with up to $1765 for individuals and up to $5300 for families or couples to replace essential household contents the storm may have destroyed, such as bed linen and whitegoods.
- Structural assistance grants — Up to $80,000 for income-tested, uninsured owner-occupiers for the replacement or repair of a disaster-damaged dwelling to be rehabilitated to a safe and habitable condition.
- Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme — Income-tested grants of up to $5000 per household to help uninsured residents reconnect damaged services such as gas, water, electricity or sewerage.
Queensland Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy said: ”This disaster season is fast proving to be as destructive as it is unpredictable, and we all need to be prepared.
“Through the DRFA, we’re making sure Moreton Bay residents in need have emergency funds and the local governments of Central Highlands, Fraser Coast, Moreton Bay, Noosa and Sunshine Coast are fully supported in their recovery.
“I thank our frontline workers who have been doing long hours to maintain public safety, get power reconnected, and clear roads, and councils for their effective local disaster management.”
Information on assistance availability, eligibility and how to apply can be found on the government’s website.
