Interest-free payment plans will be available to storm-impacted locals struggling to pay their rates, Logan City Council has announced.
“We want to ensure that people do not fall into arrears and are supported by council if they are experiencing genuine difficulties or hardship,” mayor Darren Power said.
Struggling ratepayers are being urged to contact council before the looming quarterly rates notice arrives.
“If you are in this position, we want you to contact us and let us know so we can work with you,” Cr Power said.
“It is important that people do not suffer in silence but reach out, so we know they need help.”
This is just one of the many support services available to Logan residents.
Recovery efforts, including government grants, a new Lifeline support number and street clean-ups, are continuing throughout the city.
A dedicated Lifeline Queensland phone support service has opened for impacted residents, providing struggling locals with emotional support and psychological assistance.
The state government’s own community recovery staff has increased from 85 to 400 in less than two weeks to help process the amount of grants.
For residents, there are five grants available:
- Emergency Hardship Assistance: for help with essential needs, food, medication, clothing and temporary accommodation.
- Essential Services Hardship Assistance: for help with essential services such as, power, gas, water, and sewage.
- Essential Household Contents Grant: to replace essential lost household contents, such as bed linen and white goods.
- Essential Services Safety and Reconnection: to help with for safety inspection and repairs to reconnect essential services e.g. gas, water, electricity and sewage.
- Structural Assistance Grant: to help with structural repairs or contribution towards replacement of dwelling.
Residents in the following suburbs may be eligible for government assistance:
Bahrs Scrub, Cedar Creek, Cedar Grove, Cedar Vale, Eagleby, Edens Landing, Flagstone, Glenlogan, Holmview, Jimboomba, Kairabah, Logan Village, Mundoolun, Riverbend, South Maclean, Stockleigh, Tamborine, Veresdale, Veresdale Scrub, Wolffdene, Woodridge, Woodhill, Yarrabilba.
Grants of up to $50,000 are now available for affected small business owners and non-profit organisations as well.
The funding will enable them to hire or purchase equipment and materials, clean up and remove debris, replace or repair damaged infrastructure and stock, as well as other costs associated with the recovery process.
Interest-free mortgage relief loans of up to $20,000, as well as rental grants and bond loans, are available to eligible locals while they pay for costs associated with storm damage.
Grant applications and the most up-to-date recovery assistance information can be found at qld.gov.au/disasterhelp.
Logan City Council also created a page with all relevant information: logan.qld.gov.au/storm-recovery-updates.
The Lifeline support service is: 1800 116 671.
The state government’s recovery number is: 1800 173 349.
The Jimboomba Community Recovery Hub, located at Jimboomba Library and Community Centre, is open 9am to 4pm daily.
