Cyclone Alfred financial assistance available for south east Queensland residents

Personal Hardship Assistance from the Australian and Queensland Governments has been activated for residents in three south-east Queensland council areas in response to Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

In the wake of the storm, eligible residents in the LGAs of Gold Coast, Logan and Redland, Moreton Bay, and targeted localities on the Fraser Coast can apply for a range of grants to support recovery from Alfred’s impacts.

This includes Emergency Hardship Assistance Grants of $180 for individuals, up to $900 for a family of five or more to cover essentials like food, clothing and medicine.

Essential Household Contents Grants up to $1,765 for individuals and up to $5,300 for couples or families can be used to replace destroyed household items like whitegoods and bed linen.

Residents who have suffered the loss of essential services at their home for more than five consecutive days can access Essential Services Hardship Assistance of $150 per person, up to $750 for a family of five or more.

Other financial aid aimed at uninsured low-income earners includes Structural Assistance Grants up to $80,000 for the repair of a disaster damaged dwelling, and support up to $5,000 for the reconnection of power, gas, water and sewerage.

This support is provided through the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

To check eligibility and apply visit www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp or phone the Queensland Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

DRFA assistance has also been activated for the local governments of Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Southern Downs, and Sunshine Coast.

Councils can now access funds for their counter disaster operations and the reconstruction of essential public assets.

This includes costs relating to counter disaster operations that ensure public safety, emergency road repairs, and the reconstruction of essential public assets.

A Community Relief Fund valued at $15 million has also been established for clean-up and early recovery activities of affected councils.

More disaster support will be extended by the Queensland and Australian Governments as the full impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred are revealed.