Support for more bushfire hit Southern Downs residents now available

The Australian and Queensland Governments have activated disaster support for more Queenslanders impacted by recent bushfires on the Southern Downs.

Assistance is available for eligible people in the localities of Bony Mountain, Deuchar, Goomburra, Hendon, Karara, Leslie Dam, Massie, Montrose, Morgan Park, Mount Sturt, Passchendaele, Pikedale, Pratten, Rosehill, Rosenthal Heights, Swanfels, Thane, Toolburra, Upper Freestone, Upper Wheatvale and Willowvale.

Personal Hardship Assistance, which provides $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five, is available to cover the costs of essential items such as food, clothing and medicine. 

Additionally, through the Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme, uninsured residents in these localities can access income-tested grants up to $5,000 per household  to inspect and reconnect damaged services like electricity, gas and water.

As emergency services crews and volunteers bring the devastating fires under control, more and more damage is being revealed.

The losses are devastating and extending this assistance for those affected will help people cover the urgent essentials as they get back on their feet.

The assistance is jointly funded through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Support has previously been activated in the Southern Downs area for impacted residents in Ballandean, Cherry Gully, Dalveen, Elbow Valley, Girraween, Lyra, Silverwood, The Glen, Wallangarra, Wildash and Wyberba, along with a range of other local government areas.

More information on disaster assistance, eligibility and how to apply is available at www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp.

To learn more about DRFA support head to the Queensland Reconstruction Authority website.