Personal hardship payments are now available for eligible Gold Coast residents in response to the severe storms in South-East Queensland on Christmas night.
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.
People living in the following localities can access the assistance, made available through Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA):
Advancetown Alberton Arundel Ashmore Austinville Biggera Waters Bilinga Bonogin Burleigh Heads Burleigh Waters Carrara Cedar Creek Clagiraba Coolangatta Coombabah Coomera Currumbin Currumbin Valley Currumbin Waters |
Elanora Gaven Gilston Guanaba Helensvale Hollywell Hope Island Kingsholme Labrador Lower Beechmont Luscombe Maudsland Merrimac Miami Molendinar Mount Nathan Mudgeeraba Natural Bridge Nerang |
Neranwood Numinbah Valley Ormeau Ormeau Hills Oxenford Pacific Pines Palm Beach Paradise Point Parkwood Pimpama Reedy Creek Robina Runaway Bay Springbrook Tallebudgera Valley Tugun Upper Coomera Varsity Lakes Willow Vale Wongawallan Worongary |
Funding is also being provided to the Gold Coast City Council for the reconstruction of essential public assets like roads and bridges, and for counter disaster operations including the removal of fallen trees and debris.
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:
"These storms didn't just put a dampener on Christmas for the south-east, they destroyed property with a force rarely seen in this region," Minister Watt said.
"For those hit hardest, we want to help them recover as quickly as possible.
"This assistance will make sure people can keep food on the table, they can regain power at their property, and they can repair damage to the home."
Quotes attributable to minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Nikki Boyd:
"Energy crews are working around the clock to clear debris and fix fallen lines, and we're assisting councils with their local response efforts.
"No matter what we face or go through, our government will always be there for Queenslanders.
"The Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme we're activating has a variety of disaster support measures for the immediate and longer term.
"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."
