Gold Coast activated for disaster assistance following Christmas storms

Eligible Gold Coast residents affected by the damaging storms of Christmas evening can now access personal hardship payments and a range of other support measures.

This includes grants of $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five or more to cover essentials like food, clothing and medicine.

Through the Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme support measures are also available to make homes safer, replace household contents, and reconnect essential services.

Additionally, the Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme provides income-tested grants to help uninsured residents reconnect electricity, gas, water and sewerage.

Gold Coast localities activated for financial aid include Advancetown, Alberton, Arundel, Ashmore, Austinville, Biggera Waters, Bilinga, Bonogin, Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Waters, Carrara, Cedar Creek, Clagiraba, Coolangatta, Coombabah, Coomera, Currumbin, Currumbin Valley, Currumbin Waters, Elanora, Gaven, Gilston, Guanaba, Helensvale, Hollywell, Hope Island, Kingsholme, Labrador, Lower Beechmont, Luscombe, Maudsland, Merrimac, Miami, Molendinar, Mount Nathan, Mudgeeraba, Natural Bridge, Nerang, Neranwood, Numinbah Valley, Ormeau, Ormeau Hills, Oxenford, Pacific Pines, Palm Beach, Paradise Point, Parkwood, Pimpama, Reedy Creek, Robina, Runaway Bay, Springbrook, Tallebudgera Valley, Tallai, Tugun, Upper Coomera, Varsity Lakes, Willow Vale, Wongawallan and Worongary.

The City of Gold Coast will also receive funds for the reconstruction of essential public assets like roads and bridges, and for counter disaster operations including the removal of fallen trees and debris.

Assistance is made available through joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

For those impacted, please call the Queensland Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 or visit www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp.

Energy crews are working around the clock to clear debris and fix fallen lines.

QRA will continue to assist council with their local response efforts.