January 28, 2013

Disaster relief arrangements have been activated for residents in the Gympie and North Burnett shires.

“Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme (PHAS) grants are now available to support those families experiencing personal hardship, by covering the immediate, unexpected basic costs of essential items such as food, clothing and accommodation due to the extreme weather,” Communities Minister Tracy Davis said.

“A grant of up to $180 per person, up to a maximum of $900 for a family of five or more, is available to eligible people experiencing genuine hardship.”

Essential Household Contents Grants, Structural Assistance Grants and Essential Services Safety Reconnection Scheme Grants would also be available for individuals and families affected by the flooding caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald.

“Essential Household Contents Grants may be available to low-income families to help with the replacement or repair of uninsured, essential household contents which have been lost, damaged or destroyed by the storm,” she said.

“Additionally, owners of houses that have sustained structural damage and who are not insured may be eligible to receive a Structural Assistance Grant of up to $14,685 per household.

“For those owners who are uninsured, or unable to claim insurance, you may also be eligible for Essential Services Safety Reconnection Scheme Grants to help you reconnect essential services that were damaged by a disaster.”

Ms Davis said there were two parts to this grant:

  • Inspection: up to $200 towards a safety inspection for each essential service needing reconnection (electricity, gas, water and sewerage or septic system)
  • Repair: up to $4200 towards repair work to enable essential services to be reconnected (for example, electrical rewiring).

“These grants are income and asset-tested and must meet certain criteria,” she said.

“The outreach teams will be able to help flood-affected residents apply for the Structural Assistance Grants and Essential Services Safety Reconnection Scheme grants.”

People who are experiencing personal hardship due to the storm should contact the Department of Communities on 1800-173-349 for support.

UPDATE: South Burnett Mayor Wayne Kratzmann expects the South Burnett will be added to the Disaster list after a State Government Cabinet meeting today.

UPDATE 6:00pm: Disaster relief arrangements were activated for the South Burnett at 3:51pm this afternoon.

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