The end of 2023 was difficult for many, with wild weather across South East Queensland.
Christmas Day itself, saw incredibly damaging storms hitting the northern suburbs of the City of Gold Coast and locations in the Scenic Rim, such as Tamborine Mountain which were heavily impacted, with homes destroyed and power knocked out for days.
Unfortunately, our Logan community did not get through the storms unscathed either.
Suburbs such as Cedar Creek saw destruction to property just as significant, with some residents losing everything.
Damage also occurred in Bahrs Scrub, 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 and Yarrabilba.
I have visited the areas in my electorate and will continue to provide assistance where possible to residents.
If you were impacted by the wild weather, there are a number of avenues of financial support available.
The Federal Government has opened applications, to eligible localities, for the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and Disaster Recovery Allowance.
A one-off Disaster Recovery Payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child, is available to households, through the Disaster Payment.
The Disaster Recovery Allowance provides up to 13 weeks of income support to assist eligible employees or sole traders who experience a loss of income as a direct result of a major disaster.
For more information, or to apply, visit www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/queensland-natural-disaster-support
The Queensland State Government has also made support available.
Personal hardship payments were made available for eligible residents who have been impacted by the thunderstorms.
Grants of $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five or more can be applied for, to cover the costs of essentials like food, clothing and medicine.
To view or apply, visit www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies/disasters/money-finance/eligibility-apply/seq-storms-christmas-2023
Eligible small businesses, primary producers and community organisations in Logan can apply for Disaster Assistance and Essential Working Capital loans to help recover and rebuild.
Visit, www.qrida.qld.gov.au for information on this assistance.
If you have any questions or are seeking any further assistance, please contact my office by emailing Bert.vanmanen.MP@aph.gov.au
