The City of Gold Coast is linking vulnerable residents with Disaster Relief Australia and volunteer organisations who can help clean-up in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Mayor Tom Tate said vulnerable residents, which includes the elderly, people with a disability, limited mobility, and chronic health conditions, can sign up for assistance to help clean-up storm debris from inside and immediately outside their homes.
"Gold Coasters have already done a gold star job of helping each other out during the cyclone and subsequent flooding," Mayor Tate said.
"This portal ensures that our vulnerable residents get the help they need following the severe weather."
The City is working with Disaster Relieve Australia and Gold Coast volunteering groups to provide this service.
Before residents submit a request for assistance, they should check their insurance and obtain the information they need for any insurance claim.
Residents must be at home to receive help as volunteers will not be able to enter a property if they are not onsite.
"This service is specifically for vulnerable residents and only people with a disability, limited mobility or chronic health conditions should sign up. We want to ensure there are no delays for vulnerable people accessing the service." Mayor Tate said.
Trees and vegetation in good health will not be removed unless they present a safety hazard.
A FLEXiSKiP may be placed on your kerbside to assist with clean-up.
Assistance is provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Request clean up assistance for vulnerable residents.
City website to show beach recovery progress
The City of Gold Coast website will now show the progress on how our beaches are recovering from the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Mayor Tom Tate said the webpage would include which beaches are open and the expected opening date for those that remain closed.
"We are working as hard as we can to return our beaches to their pristine condition as soon as possible," Mayor Tate said.
"Beaches are such an important part of our lifestyle and this website will help Gold Coasters track the best places to enjoy the sun and surf."
The City has already opened the following beaches:
- Rainbow Bay
- Greenmount
- Coolangatta
- Burleigh Heads
Residents can also enable push notifications on the City's App to be alerted when a beach is opened.
More beaches are expected to open in the coming days as they become safe.
It is estimated the beaches lost about 6.4 million tonnes of sand due to the cyclone. That is about 320,000 semi-trailer loads of sand.
Trucks have been transporting sand from our stockpile to Higman Street, Surfers Paradise since Wednesday. Seaworld Drive has been closed to allow trucks access.
There has also been machinery on beaches across the Gold Coast helping make the area safe.
Gold Coasters and visitors are urged to stay off the closed beaches while work is undertaken to make them safe.
Aquatic Centre update
As clean-up continues around the Gold Coast, the City has also offered to extend free admission to three of the City's Aquatic Centres until close of business on Sunday.
Palm Beach Aquatic Centre, Mudgeeraba Aquatic Centre and Pimpama Aquatic Centre will all have free admission until Sunday close of business.
These aquatic centres have been chosen as they are in areas which are the most impacted by the current power outages.
