Sue Boyce
Liberal Senator for Queensland
• The Queensland Government has updated the information on financial assistance, available here.
Community Recovery Centres (see tab above for locations) can help with:-
• Identifying grants that people are entitled to and assisting with the documentation
• Lodgement of and follow up of Structural Assistance, Essential Household Contents
• Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Grant applications
• Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal application lodgement
• Emotional and support services
• Accommodation options
• The Bank of Queensland has announced it's "Rebuilding Communities Project", donating $285,000 across a number of sporting groups, charities and community groups in affected areas. Talk to your local branch manager for further details.
• Pre and post flood comparison photos for South East Queensland are available here and here.
• Australian Trucking Association fact sheet is available here.
• If you have lost paperwork or are unsure of who your insurer is the Financial Services Council has information available here.
• Google Maps and Nearmaps have flood maps available.
Community Recovery Centres (see tab above for locations) can help with:-
• Identifying grants that people are entitled to and assisting with the documentation
• Lodgement of and follow up of Structural Assistance, Essential Household Contents
• Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Grant applications
• Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal application lodgement
• Emotional and support services
• Accommodation options
• The Bank of Queensland has announced it's "Rebuilding Communities Project", donating $285,000 across a number of sporting groups, charities and community groups in affected areas. Talk to your local branch manager for further details.
• Pre and post flood comparison photos for South East Queensland are available here and here.
• Australian Trucking Association fact sheet is available here.
• If you have lost paperwork or are unsure of who your insurer is the Financial Services Council has information available here.
• Google Maps and Nearmaps have flood maps available.
Emergency - 000
Police (non-emergency calls) - 131 444
Energex - 13 19 62
SES - 132 500
Telstra - 13 22 03
Optus - 13 13 44
Brisbane City Council - 3403 8888
Disaster Recovery Hotline - 1800 173 349
Volunteering Queensland - 1800 994 100
Insurance Council of Australia 24 hour helpline - 1300 728 228
Australian Tax Office 1800 806 218
Australian Government grants - 180 22 66
Queensland Government grants - 1800 173 349
Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority (QRAA) - 1800 623 946
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland Employer Assistance Line - 1300 135 822
Queenslanders with Disability Network 07 32528566 / 1300 363 783 (local call)
ASIC has information available on flood insurance and scams here.
Bank Assistance Hotlines
ANZ - 1800 149 549 ING - 1300 349 166
Bank of Queensland - 1800 079 866 NAB - 1800 701 599
Bendigo and Adelaide - 1300 652 146 Rabobank - 1800 025 484
Citibank - 13 24 84 Suncorp - 13 11 75
Commonwealth - 13 22 21 St George - 1300 769 578
HSBC - 1300 732 943 Westpac - 1800 067 497
Police (non-emergency calls) - 131 444
Energex - 13 19 62
SES - 132 500
Telstra - 13 22 03
Optus - 13 13 44
Brisbane City Council - 3403 8888
Disaster Recovery Hotline - 1800 173 349
Volunteering Queensland - 1800 994 100
Insurance Council of Australia 24 hour helpline - 1300 728 228
Australian Tax Office 1800 806 218
Australian Government grants - 180 22 66
Queensland Government grants - 1800 173 349
Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority (QRAA) - 1800 623 946
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland Employer Assistance Line - 1300 135 822
Queenslanders with Disability Network 07 32528566 / 1300 363 783 (local call)
ASIC has information available on flood insurance and scams here.
Bank Assistance Hotlines
ANZ - 1800 149 549 ING - 1300 349 166
Bank of Queensland - 1800 079 866 NAB - 1800 701 599
Bendigo and Adelaide - 1300 652 146 Rabobank - 1800 025 484
Citibank - 13 24 84 Suncorp - 13 11 75
Commonwealth - 13 22 21 St George - 1300 769 578
HSBC - 1300 732 943 Westpac - 1800 067 497
Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements have been activated for flood-affected areas of Queensland. This assistance includes personal hardship and distress assistance in the form of:
• Emergency Assistance grants - a grant of $170 per person, up to a maximum of $780 for a family of five or more is available. This grant is available to people experiencing hardship due to the disaster who require assistance to meet their basic needs such as food, clothing, accommodation and medical supplies. The Emergeny Assistance Payments are not income tested and are available to all people affected by an eligible disaster who without assistance would suffer personal hardship and distress.
• Essential Household Contents grants - assistance of up to $1,660 for individuals and $4,980 for families.
• Repairs to Dwelling grants - assistance of up to $10,250 for individuals and $13,800 for families can be provided.
People experiencing personal hardship due to flooding in QLD should contact the QLD Department of Communities on 1800 173 349 for support.
Individuals are also eligible for the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child. The Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy is also available to those who have experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the flooding and are not currently receiving, or eligible for any other income support payment. People seeking more information on eligibility under the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) or the Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy can call the Centrelink Emergency Assistance Hotline 180 22 66.
• Emergency Assistance grants - a grant of $170 per person, up to a maximum of $780 for a family of five or more is available. This grant is available to people experiencing hardship due to the disaster who require assistance to meet their basic needs such as food, clothing, accommodation and medical supplies. The Emergeny Assistance Payments are not income tested and are available to all people affected by an eligible disaster who without assistance would suffer personal hardship and distress.
• Essential Household Contents grants - assistance of up to $1,660 for individuals and $4,980 for families.
• Repairs to Dwelling grants - assistance of up to $10,250 for individuals and $13,800 for families can be provided.
People experiencing personal hardship due to flooding in QLD should contact the QLD Department of Communities on 1800 173 349 for support.
Individuals are also eligible for the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child. The Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy is also available to those who have experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the flooding and are not currently receiving, or eligible for any other income support payment. People seeking more information on eligibility under the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) or the Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy can call the Centrelink Emergency Assistance Hotline 180 22 66.
ATO and BAS reporting - If your business address is in Queensland or the Tweed area, the ATO will automatically defer the lodgment and payment dates for December monthly activity statements from the original due date of 21 January 2011 to 21 February 2011. You will not need to apply for a deferral. If deferrals to later dates have already been approved, they will still apply.
Staff leave during floods - While the Fair Work Act 2009 does not provide specific leave entitlements where an employee is unable to attend work due to floods or other natural disasters, you may have entitlements under your award or agreement that are relevant to these circumstances. There may also be state-based advice and assistance available to affected employers and employees. In addition, State occupational health and safety laws provide for a general duty of care toward employees that may need to be considered.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland is offering 30-day complimentary membership for Queensland businesses who wish to access CCIQ advisers. To register click here.
Small business owners may be eligible for payments of up to $424 per fortnight for 13 weeks. You must lodge a claim by February 28 2011. A full fact sheet is available here and a claim form is available here.
Grants of up to $25,000 are available to help eligible small business owners clean and restore premises. This consists of up to $5,000 to assist you with immediate early recovery (subject to future audit) and subsequent claim of up to $20,000 to recover costs that you have paid in order to repair direct flood damage. A fact sheet is available here and application forms are available here.
Staff leave during floods - While the Fair Work Act 2009 does not provide specific leave entitlements where an employee is unable to attend work due to floods or other natural disasters, you may have entitlements under your award or agreement that are relevant to these circumstances. There may also be state-based advice and assistance available to affected employers and employees. In addition, State occupational health and safety laws provide for a general duty of care toward employees that may need to be considered.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland is offering 30-day complimentary membership for Queensland businesses who wish to access CCIQ advisers. To register click here.
Small business owners may be eligible for payments of up to $424 per fortnight for 13 weeks. You must lodge a claim by February 28 2011. A full fact sheet is available here and a claim form is available here.
Grants of up to $25,000 are available to help eligible small business owners clean and restore premises. This consists of up to $5,000 to assist you with immediate early recovery (subject to future audit) and subsequent claim of up to $20,000 to recover costs that you have paid in order to repair direct flood damage. A fact sheet is available here and application forms are available here.
Red Cross Guides
• Coping With A Major Personal Crisis
• Dealing with Wind and Water damage
• Clearing out and drying your home
• Cleaning your home
• Cleaning furniture and appliances
• Cleaning clothes and valuables
• Cleaning up outside
• Repairing your floors
• Redecorating your home
Other Guides
• Returning to your business premises
• Need help getting an insurance claim paid? (Legal Aid Queensland)
• Disaster Recovery Toolkit for Business (CPA Australia)
• Coping With A Major Personal Crisis
• Dealing with Wind and Water damage
• Clearing out and drying your home
• Cleaning your home
• Cleaning furniture and appliances
• Cleaning clothes and valuables
• Cleaning up outside
• Repairing your floors
• Redecorating your home
Other Guides
• Returning to your business premises
• Need help getting an insurance claim paid? (Legal Aid Queensland)
• Disaster Recovery Toolkit for Business (CPA Australia)
Community Recovery Centres
Brisbane City Council, Woolloongabba Goprint Building, Unit A, 371 Vulture Street
(open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm; Saturday 9am-1pm)
Ipswich City Council, Max Employment Agency 21 Queen St Goodna
(open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm)
The Old Courthouse Corner of Limestone and East Streets
(open Monday to Friday 8.30am-5pm)
Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Murphy's Creek Recreation Reserve
open Tuesday and Thursday 10am-4pm)
Grantham Victor Street Grantham (next to the school).
(open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10am-4pm)
Toowoomba Regional Council, Level 5, Easternwell Centre, 10 Russell St Toowoomba
(open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm)
Cassowary Coast Regional Council, Cardwell Library, 2 Balliol Street Cardwell
(open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 5pm, Thursday 9am to 7pm)
Wongaling Beach, Woolworths Shopping Complex Shop 10, 38-40 Dickinson Street
(open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 5pm, Thursday 9am to 7pm)
Tully Visitor and Heritage Centre Bruce Highway
(open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 5pm, Thursday 9am to 7pm)
Community Recovery number - 1800 173 349 for assistance.
Brisbane City Council, Woolloongabba Goprint Building, Unit A, 371 Vulture Street
(open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm; Saturday 9am-1pm)
Ipswich City Council, Max Employment Agency 21 Queen St Goodna
(open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm)
The Old Courthouse Corner of Limestone and East Streets
(open Monday to Friday 8.30am-5pm)
Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Murphy's Creek Recreation Reserve
open Tuesday and Thursday 10am-4pm)
Grantham Victor Street Grantham (next to the school).
(open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10am-4pm)
Toowoomba Regional Council, Level 5, Easternwell Centre, 10 Russell St Toowoomba
(open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm)
Cassowary Coast Regional Council, Cardwell Library, 2 Balliol Street Cardwell
(open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 5pm, Thursday 9am to 7pm)
Wongaling Beach, Woolworths Shopping Complex Shop 10, 38-40 Dickinson Street
(open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 5pm, Thursday 9am to 7pm)
Tully Visitor and Heritage Centre Bruce Highway
(open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 5pm, Thursday 9am to 7pm)
Community Recovery number - 1800 173 349 for assistance.
Queensland Flood and
Cyclone Information
Cyclone Information