As floodwaters subside, the devastation of the severe weather event that hit Southeast Queensland, including Milton, Rosalie and Auchenflower, has become more pronounced. What forms of assistance can residents in flood-affected suburbs get to help them recover from the effects of this disaster?
Among the most affected areas in Brisbane include Milton where low-lying streets and homes were inundated with floodwaters from the swollen Brisbane River. The floods affected Coronation Drive that heavily impacted traffic flow for days. Milton State School was submerged as well and remained closed for several days along with 1,000 plus other state schools.
Nearby Rosalie was also not spared with floodwaters reaching chest high entering restaurants, destroying equipment and machines and leaving owners with the laborious task of cleaning up after the flood.
Auchenflower too took a beating from the torrential rains and flooding as helpless residents could only watch as their homes got inundated with floodwaters. And to make the situation more frustrating, water comes flowing back after they have already finished cleaning up.
The total damage caused by the floods is estimated to reach $1 billion as flood and storm damage insurance claims rose in the aftermath of the inundation with about 31,000 claims already being made.
Access to grants and support for flood-impacted residents
On 1 March, the State Government unveiled grants and support for flood-impacted areas including Emergency Hardship Assistance grants of up to $180 per person and $900 for a family of five or more. As assessments in other affected areas are still ongoing, these grants are open for people in the following LGAs only:
- Ipswich LGA
- Somerset LGA
- Moreton Bay LGA
- Lockyer Valley LGA
- Gympie LGA
- Dallarnil locality – North Burnett LGA
However, there are other grants available to eligible residents who are uninsured and have experienced certain losses or damage to their property including the Essential Household Contents Grant which provides up to 1,765 for single adults and up to $5,300 for couples/families.
Photo Credit: Rosalie Village Community / Facebook
Also available are the Structural Assistance Grant – to go towards repairs to make the home secure and safe – and the Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Grant which is a two-part grant aimed at helping affected homeowners get reconnected with essential services including electricity, gas, water and sewerage.
The State Government is also rolling out a “rapid housing response” in flood-affected areas, including the establishment of a $600,000 Rapid Response Fund, to tackle housing challenges and homelessness brought about by the recent flooding.
“Record interstate migration, rising house prices, very low vacancy rates, COVID-19 and severe weather has created a perfect storm.
“Every Queenslander deserves a roof over their head, and I have been looking at all available options to assist people who might require short-term accommodation and longer-term housing,” Minister for Communities and Housing Leeanne Enoch said.
“We are doing this in a way that considers the individual and the diverse needs of households.
“This includes providing accommodation solutions with appropriate support for people with disability, and people experiencing homelessness or domestic and family violence.”
Those needing housing help are encouraged to call 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or visit the nearest Housing Service Centre.
Meanwhile, the Australian Government is also offering support through its Disaster Recovery Payment program which provides eligible families who have been significantly affected by the recent disaster with a lump sum payment of $1,000 per adult and $400 for each child younger than 16.
Families have until 3 September 2022 to make a claim. The LGAs included in the program include:
- Brisbane
- Bundaberg
- Cherbourg
- Fraser Coast
- Gladstone
- Gold Coast
- Goondiwindi
- Gympie
- Ipswich
- Lockyer Valley
- Logan
- Moreton Bay
- Noosa
- North Burnett
- Redland
- Scenic Rim
- Somerset
- South Burnett
- Southern Downs
- Sunshine Coast
- Toowoomba
- Western Downs