Federal Member for Hinkler David Batt MP and Federal Nationals Senator for NSW Shadow Minister for Emergency Management Senator Ross Cadell have welcomed Personal Hardship Assistance for targeted parts of Bundaberg.
Mr Batt took leave from Parliament earlier this week to return to the flood impacted Hinkler electorate.
“As the flood water recedes, we stand ready to help those in need,” Mr Batt said.
“There are more than 100 businesses and 150 homes that have been inundated and they will all need our support in the weeks and months ahead.”
Senator Cadell said the announcement of Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements is welcome news ahead of what will be a long recovery for many households and businesses.
“My thoughts remain with the communities across Queensland, including at Bundaberg where the Burnett River peaked at about 7.4 metres on Wednesday.
This morning, I spoke with Member for Hinkler, David Batt MP, who is on the ground with his community and described the plight of locals who could be cut off for several days.
In times like this, we must put aside politics and put community first to support those who need it.”
Today Mr Batt has attended briefings with local authorities and has spoken with the new Nationals Leader Matt Canavan and Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain.
Emergency payments of $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five or more can be used to purchase essentials like food, clothing and medicine.
For eligible residents, a range of other hardship grants are available predominantly targeting vulnerable households, including Structural Assistance Grants up to $80,000 to repair a damaged home to a safe and habitable condition.
Support is being delivered under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Affected residents can visit www.disaster.qld.gov.au for information on available grants, eligibility, and how to apply.
The Queensland Community Recovery Hotline is available as well for Queenslanders needing urgent disaster support, with officers taking calls 24/7 on 1800 173 349.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Personal Hardship Assistance available to eligible residents:
- Emergency Hardship Assistance – $180 per person, up to $900 for a family of five or more to purchase immediate essentials like food, clothing and medicine.
- Essential Services Hardship Assistance – $150 per person, up to $750 for a family of five or more to assist with immediate needs following the loss of essential services at home for more than five consecutive days.
- Essential Household Contents Grants – income-tested assistance for uninsured residents, up to $1,765 for individuals and up to $5,300 for couples or families to replace destroyed essential household contents such as bed linen and whitegoods.
- Structural Assistance Grants – up to $80,000 for uninsured, income-tested owner-occupiers towards the repair or replacement of a disaster damaged dwelling to return it to a safe and habitable condition.
- Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme – income-tested grants to help uninsured residents reconnect damaged services like electricity, gas, water or sewerage. Up to $5,000 per household.