Disaster Recovery Newsletter from Local MP
Special Newsletter – Disaster Recovery – 30th Jan 2013
(from Seath Holswich MP)
Below is information about:
Energex – Electricity Restoration
Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme
Queensland Flood Appeal
Important Contact Details
This past week has been a difficult one for many across our great state and also in Pine Rivers. The purpose of this special newsletter is to convey some information that is important as we enter recovery mode. I realise that this disaster isn’t over yet for many people in our community and I trust this information will be helpful if you’re still in need of assistance.Firstly though, let me express my thanks to our emergency service personnel – including our local SES, Rural Fire Brigades, Qld Police, Qld Fire & Rescue, Qld Ambulance, Energex, Council staff as well as the many volunteers, friends and neighbours who have been pulling together to get us through recent events.
I have been providing regular updates on my Facebook page as they come to hand. Please ‘like’ my page (click through or search for SeathHolswichMP) to keep up to date on local information during the recovery and any future local events.
You can also contact my office if needed on 3205 6779, by emailing pine.rivers@parliament.qld.gov.au, or through the contact form at www.seathholswich.com
Seath Holswich MP
Energex – Electricity Restoration
I am aware that there are still hundreds of homes and businesses without power throughout Pine Rivers. Energex crews are working around the clock to restore power. As at 8:30am this morning (30th January 2013) a total of 72,800 Energex customers were still without power.
Energex are unable to give estimates of when power will be restored to individual streets or suburbs. However, you can check the latest information about power outages by phoning Energex on 13 62 62 or visit www.energex.com.au/residential-and-business/power-outages
If you have powerlines down, call Energex on 13 19 62 to report them.
Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme
Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme (PHAS) grants are now available to support those families experiencing personal hardship, by covering the immediate, unexpected basic costs of essential items such as food, clothing and accommodation due to the extreme weather.
A grant of up to $180 per person, up to a maximum of $900 for a family of five or more, is available to eligible people experiencing genuine hardship.
Essential Household Contents Grants, Structural Assistance Grants and Essential Services Safety Reconnection Scheme Grants would also be available for individuals and families affected by the flooding caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald.
Essential Household Contents Grants may be available to low-income families to help with the replacement or repair of uninsured, essential household contents which have been lost, damaged or destroyed by the storm.
Additionally, owners of houses that have sustained structural damage and who are not insured may be eligible to receive a Structural Assistance Grant of up to $14,685 per household.
For those owners who are uninsured, or unable to claim insurance, you may also be eligible for Essential Services Safety Reconnection Scheme Grants to help you reconnect essential services that were damaged by a disaster.
There were two parts to this grant:
• Inspection: up to $200 towards a safety inspection for each essential service needing reconnection (electricity, gas, water and sewerage or septic system)
• Repair: up to $4200 towards repair work to enable essential services to be reconnected (for example, electrical rewiring).
These grants are income and asset tested and must meet certain criteria.
The outreach teams will be able to help flood-affected residents apply for the Structural Assistance Grants and Essential Services Safety Reconnection Scheme grants.
People who are experiencing personal hardship due to the storm should contact the Department of Communities on 1800 173 349 for support.
Queensland Flood Appeal
Premier Campbell Newman has launched the Queensland Flood Appeal 2013, a Queensland Government/Red Cross partnership to help Queenslanders impacted by the recent floods and storms.
The Queensland Government kick-started the appeal with a $1 million donation.
I would encourage all Pine Rivers businesses and residents to donate to the Appeal. Today I have made a $200 donation from my family and I to help those in need.
Donations can be made by calling 1800 811 700 or visiting www.redcross.org.au
Important Contact Details
The following are contact details, websites, Facebook pages that may be useful during this recovery period:
The most comprehensive website during an emergency situation is www.qldalert.com – this website contains the latest information from multiple sources including Qld Police, Council, Main Roads, SES.
If you have Facebook then ‘like’ the following for updates (click on each to go directly to their Facebook page): Queensland Police Service , State Emergency Service , Queensland Ambulance Service , Queensland Fire and Rescue Service , Energex , SEQ Water .
If you need the State Emergency Service, contact them on 132 500.
If you are unable to contact an electrician directly, you can contact the Master Electrician Association on 1300 889 198 or at www.masterelectricians.com.au
If you haven’t already, sign up to Moreton Alert, Council’s early warning alert network. Sign up at www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/alert.aspx
Now would also be a good time to sign up to receive SMS or email updates from SEQ Water about releases from North Pine Dam. Sign up at www.previous.seqwater.com.au/public/node/338
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