Hardship assistance extended to more storm affected SEQ communities

7 December 2025

Emergency financial support is now available to residents in targeted areas of Gympie, Somerset, and more parts of Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast following recent severe storms that rolled through the south-east.

The Personal Hardship Assistance payments are provided by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Grants can help cover essential recovery costs such as replacing spoiled food and medicine, and for the reconnection of vital services. 

Payments range from $150 up to $80,000, depending on eligibility, with the majority or grants income-tested and targeted to uninsured residents.

New localities activated for Personal Hardship Assistance include:

  • Coondoo, Goomborian, Imbil, Kandanga, Traveston, Wolvi (Gympie)
  • Griffin, Joyner, Stony Creek (Moreton Bay)
  • Borallon, Hazeldean, Sandy Creek, Wanora (Somerset)
  • Beerburrum, Bli Bli, Buddina, Buderim, Coochin Creek, Cooloolabin, Crohamhurst, Curramore, Diddillibah, Eerwah Vale, Eumundi, Forest Glen, Kuluin, Meridan Plains, North Arm, Pelican Waters, Point Arkwright, Valdora, Verrierdale, Weyba Downs, Witta, Wurtulla, Yandina, Yandina Creek (Sunshine Coast)

Gympie Regional Council has also been approved for additional DRFA support to cover the costs of repairing damaged public assets such as roads and bridges, and for their disaster response efforts to maintain public safety.

Personal Hardship Assistance is now available in seven south-east Queensland local government areas in response to the severe storms of 24-25 November 2025, with nine councils activated for some form of DRFA support.

The Queensland and Australian Governments continue to support councils across the region with their recovery, and will activate further disaster assistance as required.

For full information on available hardship grants, eligibility, and applications, visit www.disaster.qld.gov.au.

The latest status of disaster activations in Queensland can always be found at www.qra.qld.gov.au/activations.