More than 100 properties in Logan will undergo damage assessments following a summer riddled with extreme weather incidents.
The Damage Assessment and Reconstruction Monitoring (DARM) operation will take place over two, week-long periods from Monday 15 April, with disaster impacted homes and businesses from Cook Shire to the Gold Coast and inland to Western Downs to be visited.
In Logan, 108 properties will be assessed with a total of 2975 properties assessed across Queensland.
The Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) CEO, Major General Jake Ellwood, said Queensland “was absolutely slammed by natural disasters this summer”.
“The impacts from such significant weather are severe, and the recovery takes time,” Major General Ellwood said.
“Our DARM activities are a fundamental part of QRA’s recovery support for any community impacted by a large-scale natural disaster.
“There are important lessons to be learned from every disaster event, and the conversations we have and the data we capture feeds into that so we can help people right now but also better prepare for the future.
“It’s vital we’re tracking the recovery progress of those affected, to make sure no one is falling through the cracks and support is being directed where it’s needed most.”
DARM audits are conducted at regular intervals following a severe disaster, typically for up to a year.
The QRA said it allowed the agency to monitor recovery, identify issues, and ensure communities and residents receive “every bit of support they need”.
In Logan, QRA officers will assess a property’s damage, the progress of repairs, insurance matters, and residents’ ability to access financial and personal support.
These properties were identified as damaged following assessments done by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) and QRA.
The minister responsible for the QRA, Nikki Boyd, said DARM was about helping residents resolve disaster-related challenges in a “fast and effective way”.
“The Queensland and Australian governments have so far paid out more than $72 million in personal hardship grants following these summer disasters and announced exceptional circumstances funding packages valued at more than $120 million,” Ms Boyd said.
“But there is still a long road to recovery ahead.
“This upcoming DARM operation is another crucial step in our response to the 2023-24 disaster season, keeping all levels of government and other relevant stakeholders informed as we work to get Queenslanders back on their feet.”
Logan properties will be visited from Monday 29 April to Friday 3 May.
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