Disaster funding unlocked for Moreton Bay

The State and Federal Governments have unlocked disaster funding for City of Moreton Bay residents in 37 of the worst-affected locations.

The funding provides $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family and follows a thunderstorm which brought large hailstones, damaging locally destructive winds and heavy rain to the city on November 24.

Local Disaster Management Group Chair Councillor Matt Constance welcomed the announcement after Council worked had closely with State Community Recovery staff to provide accurate information of where impacts have been most significant.

The Assistance through the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) will allow Moreton Bay residents in 37 of the worst affected localities to apply for Personal Hardship Assistance.

Activated suburbs include Banksia Beach, Beachmere, Bellara, Bellmere, Bongaree, Bracalba, Campbells Pocket, Corymbia, D’Aguilar, Delaneys Creek, Donnybrook, Elimbah, Godwin Beach, Greenstone, Kurwongbah, Lilywood, Meldale, Moorina, Mount Delaney, Mount Mee, Mount Pleasant, Neurum, Ningi, Ocean View, Rocksberg, Sandstone Point, Toorbul, Upper Caboolture, Wagtail Grove, Wamuran, Wamuran Basin, Waraba, Welsby, White Patch, Whiteside, Woodford, and Woorim.

Grants of $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five or more can cover the costs of essentials such as food, clothing and medicine, while other support measures target low income, uninsured residents.

Across City of Moreton Bay, localised clean ups and recovery continue, with Council, Energex and SES crews and community groups continuing leading the way.

For up-to-date details on emergency news, power outages, road closures and weather warnings, we urge the community to use the Disaster Dashboard by visiting https://disaster.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/

For information on assistance available, eligibility, and how to apply, visit www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp.

What to do

• Watch out for fallen trees and branches on roads and paths. Report to Council on (07) 3205 0555
• Report fallen powerlines to Energex on 13 19 62
• In an emergency, phone 000 (Triple Zero)
• For help phone SES QLD: 132 500 or use the SES Assistance QLD App.
• Water or wastewater impacts? Report it at www.unitywater.com/report-a-fault
• Stay informed. Monitor the weather online if you can: http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/ or download the BOM Weather app to your device.
• Check our Disaster Dashboard for up-to-date details on emergency news, power outages, road closures and weather warnings: https://disaster.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/
• Residents can sign up to MoretonAlert, a free SMS, email and voice alerting system that provides severe weather warnings.
• More information disaster preparation, tips and emergency contacts can be found by visiting www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Services/Disaster-Management.

Information Hub locations

• Information hubs are open from 7am-7pm for residents to go for temporary relief, ability to charge a device and access information regarding the event.

These are located at:

• Bribie Island Recreational Hall - 156 First Ave, Bongaree
• Burpengary Community Hall - 111 Station Rd, Burpengary
• Deception Bay Community Centre - 2 Raymond Terrace, Deception Bay
• Beachmere Hub - Main St, Beachmere
• All Council libraries are now active as places of refuge apart from Bribie. Location and opening hours here: Plan your visit - Moreton Bay Libraries

Waste services and clean-up

• Council waste facilities are open usual business hours. Council is encouraging people to use its free green waste services and their green bins. Locations and opening hours are here: Find a waste and recycling facility - City of Moreton Bay
• Regular waste collection services continue as normal unless roads are unsafe. Catch up services will occur if necessary.
• For food waste, if in doubt throw it out.