State meets call on assistance
THE State Government has received more than 900 applications for emergency hardship grants from North Queensland residents affected by flooding in the last week.
Communities Minister Coralee O’Rourke said the Government had already paid out $ 184,000 to residents since the grants were activated on Saturday.
“These are very resilient communities but our community recovery efforts are here to lend a helping hand, and help people affected get back on their feet,” she said.
The grants are designed to cover the cost of essential items such as food, clothing and medication or alternate accom- modation if they can’t live at home. Ms O’Rourke said the Government had 122 Ready Reserves currently supporting the recovery effort.
“Now that the floodwaters have receded and roads are opening up, our Ready Reserves are starting to get out to some of the most affected communities, such as Ingham and some areas within Innisfail,” she said.
“We will have more community recovery workers on the ground in the coming days to offer targeted assistance and faceto- face support to local residents.”
Eligible applicants can still receive oneoff grants of $ 180 per person, up to $ 900 for a family of five or more by calling the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.