Emergency grants for flood-affected Hinchinbrook residents close this week

Please see below media release from Minister for Communities and Minister for Disability Services and Seniors
The Honourable Coralee O'Rourke.

More than $700,000 in grants has been handed out to residents in the Hinchinbrook area, including Ingham, affected by flooding earlier this month to help them get back on their feet.

Communities Minister Coralee O’Rourke said the joint Commonwealth and State government-funded Emergency Hardship Assistance grants had made a real difference to directly affected community members by helping to cover the costs of essential items such as food, clothing and medication.

“This is a very resilient community, but even the most resilient of people and communities sometimes need a helping hand – and this flood event has been one of those times,” she said.

“I’ve seen first-hand how these payments have helped local residents recover from this flooding, and now that the immediate hardship needs have been met, we’re seeing the demand for grants decrease.                                                                            

“The Palaszczuk Government will now begin transitioning to the next phase of our community recovery operations to areas activated in the Hinchinbrook Shire Council, which is about the longer-term recovery of affected communities.

“This means Emergency Hardship Assistance grants will close for the Hinchinbrook area on Friday 23 March at midnight.”

The Essential Household Contents Grant and Structural Assistance Grant, which are income tested, will continue to be available to eligible residents in these areas who are not insured and have experienced certain loss or damage following this disaster.

Mrs O’Rourke said the Ingham Community Recovery Hub at TAFE Queensland North’s Ingham campus, 74 Townsville Road, Ingham would transition to a Community Recovery Referral and Information Centre (CRRICs) in line with the longer-term recovery focus.

“CRRICs are places where community members can access information and referrals to a range of support services as part of longer-term recovery efforts,” she said.

“We know that some people may need counselling or support services and longer-term grants are still available for people in the areas affected.”

Hinchinbrook Shire Mayor Ramon Jayo thanked the State Government for their response efforts in the Hinchinbrook Shire and urged residents who had been affected by the flood to apply for the Emergency Hardship Assistance grants as soon as possible.

“Emergency Hardship Assistance Grants are closing this Friday, if you have been impacted by the flood please make sure you apply prior to applications closing,” he said.

For more information or to apply for grants, download the Self Recovery app, go to the Community Recovery online portal at www.communityrecovery.qld.gov.au or call the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.