Joint media release with the Hon Bill Shorten MP
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) of $1,000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children will soon be available for more communities significantly impacted by severe weather events in Queensland.
People who suffered serious damage or injury as a result of heavy rainfall and flooding at the end of January 2024 in the suburb of Bray Park within the City of Moreton Bay Local Government Area (LGA) will be able to apply from 2pm Wednesday 14 February.
The payment will also be activated for more people severely affected by the earlier South East Queensland storms and rainfall from 8am Tuesday 13 February. People in the following suburbs will be able to make a claim for AGDRP:
- City of Gold Coast: Mermaid Waters and Molendinar
- City of Logan: Holmview and Yarrabilba
The AGDRP extension builds on joint Federal-State financial hardship assistance already available for South East Queensland residents who need to replace food, clothing, medicines or reconnect utilities, but who have not suffered major damage to their home. Residents can apply for these payments through Disaster support and recovery.
To date, more than 17,300 disaster payment claims have been granted and almost $20.8 million paid to eligible people who live in the following suburbs where the payment is already available:
- City of Gold Coast: Arundel, Ashmore, Biggera Waters, Bonogin, Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Waters, Carrara, Clagiraba, Coombabah, Coomera, Currumbin Waters, Elanora, Gaven, Gilston, Guanaba, Helensvale, Hollywell, Hope Island, Kingsholme, Labrador, Lower Beechmont, Maudsland, Merrimac, Mount Nathan, Mudgeeraba, Nerang, Ormeau, Oxenford, Pacific Pines, Palm Beach, Paradise Point, Parkwood, Pimpama, Reedy Creek, Robina, Runaway Bay, Southport, Springbrook, Tallai, Tallebudgera, Tugun, Upper Coomera, Varsity Lakes, Willow Vale, Wongawallan and Worongary.
- City of Logan: Cedar Creek, Cedar Grove, Cedar Vale, Eagleby, Flagstone, Glenlogan, Jimboomba, Logan Village, Mundoolun, Riverbend, Tamborine, Veresdale and Woodhill.
- Scenic Rim Region: Beaudesert, Beechmont, Gleneagle, Tamborine Mountain, Tamborine and Veresdale.
Affected people will soon be able to check their eligibility on the Services Australia website, and the quickest way to claim a payment is online through myGov.
If people need help to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency information line on 180 22 66 between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. If they want to speak to someone in their language, they can also call the Centrelink multilingual phone service on 131 202.
The AGDRP builds on the jointly funded financial hardship assistance available for people affected by both events who need to replace food, clothing, medicines or reconnect utilities, but who have not suffered major damage to their home. Residents can apply for these payments through Disaster support and recovery.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Government Services, the Hon Bill Shorten:
"Services Australia continues to provide support to Queenslanders, with almost $20.8 million already reaching those affected by the devastating storms in December.
"I encourage people affected by either of these severe weather events to check their eligibility for disaster assistance through the Services Australia website and make a claim through myGov.
"If you can't get online or you need help with a claim, Services Australia staff are available to assist. You can call 180 22 66 between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday to speak with a staff member."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt:
"The Albanese Government is continuing to work around the clock to support Queenslanders affected by severe weather events over the last three months.
"This assistance will help more Gold Coasters, Logan and Bray Park residents locals with emergency costs caused by the storms.
"We will continue to listen to communities to understand what they need to help cover the immediate costs of these disasters, and help them to bounce back as quickly as possible."
