More Queenslanders impacted by the recent bushfires will now have access to disaster support, with further assistance activated by the Albanese and Palaszczuk Governments.
Personal Hardship Assistance, which provides $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five to cover the costs of essential items such as food, clothing and medicine, is now available for eligible people in the Southern Downs localities of Bony Mountain, Deuchar, Goomburra, Hendon, Karara, Leslie Dam, Massie, Montrose, Morgan Park, Mount Sturt, Passchendaele, Pikedale, Pratten, Rosehill, Rosenthal Heights, Swanfels, Thane, Toolburra, Upper Freestone, Upper Wheatvale and Willowvale.
Uninsured residents in these localities can also access income-tested grants up to $5,000 per household through the Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme to inspect and reconnect damaged services like electricity, gas and water.
The assistance is jointly funded through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Support was previously activated in the Southern Downs area for impacted residents in Ballandean, Cherry Gully, Dalveen, Elbow Valley, Girraween, Lyra,Silverwood, The Glen, Wallangarra, Wildash and Wyberba, along with a range of other Local Government Areas.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt:
"Thanks to the tireless efforts of our hardworking emergency services crews and volunteers, the devastating bushfires are being brought under control.
"However, as we get the upper hand in these battles, crews are finding that more and more areas have been badly affected.
"The losses are devastating for those affected and we are working hard to help people cover the urgent essentials such as food, clothing and medicine as they get back on their feet."
Quotes attributable to Acting Premier Steven Miles:
"The fire season has already impacted many Queenslanders, their homes and businesses, with the Southern Downs area being particularly hard hit.
"I've seen firsthand some of the destruction caused by these bushfires and I want to thank emergency services crews and their heroic efforts.
"Extending this assistance to eligible people in the impacted localities will help those who have lost so much.
"We will continue working with local councils in affected areas, such as the Southern Downs, to support the recovery of communities impacted by bushfires."
