SEQ Severe Thunderstorms Christmas Day 2023

Personal hardship financial assistance is now available for south east Queensland communities impacted by this severe thunderstorms event.

If you have been affected by this event, you can:

Eligible areas

Financial assistance is available for people  who were affected by this event in these areas:

Targeted localities:

  • 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

Targeted localities:

  • Allenview
  • Barney View
  • Beaudesert
  • Beechmont
  • Benobble
  • Biddaddaba
  • Binna Burra
  • Birnam
  • Boyland
  • Bromelton
  • Cainbable
  • Canungra
  • Chinghee Creek
  • Christmas Creek
  • Cryna
  • Darlington
  • Ferny Glen
  • Flying Fox
  • Gleneagle
  • Hillview
  • Illinbah
  • Innisplain
  • Josephville
  • Kagaru
  • Kerry
  • Knapp Creek
  • Kooralbyn
  • Lamington
  • Laravale
  • Mount Barney
  • Mount Gipps
  • Mount Lindesay
  • Nindooinbah
  • Oaky Creek
  • O'Reilly
  • Palen Creek
  • Rathdowney
  • Running Creek
  • Sarabah
  • Southern Lamington
  • Tabooba
  • Tabragalba
  • Tamborine
  • Tamborine Mountain
  • Tamrookum
  • Tamrookum Creek
  • Undullah
  • Veresdale
  • Veresdale Scrub
  • Witheren
  • Wonglepong

Applying for a grant

If you live within the area listed above, and meet the eligibility criteria, please submit your application through the Community Recovery Grants portal or call the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 for assistance.

You need to be aged 18 years or older to complete an online application and have:

If you are under the age of 18, please contact the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 to obtain advice on how to lodge an application.

Available grants

The following grants have been activated for this event. To find out which of these grants you may be eligible for, please read below.

The Essential Household Contents Grant is to replace essential lost household contents, such as bed linen and white goods. This grant may be available if you:

  • live in the affected area
  • own the items that have been lost
  • own or rent the affected residence
  • are uninsured or unable to claim insurance
  • meet the income limits.

We will visit your home to assess the damage. We will need photographic evidence if items must be disposed of.

Grant amount:

  • $1,765 for individuals
  • up to $5,300 for couples or families.

More information about the Essential Household Contents Grant.

The Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme (ESSRS) is to help with for safety inspection and repairs to reconnect essential services e.g. gas, water, electricity and sewage. This grant may be available if you:

  • live in the affected area
  • have had your essential services disconnected
  • own and live in the affected residence
  • are uninsured or unable to claim insurance
  • meet the income limits.

We will visit your home to assess the damage.

Grant amount:

  • Inspection costs—$200 for safety inspection for water, electricity, gas and sewage.
  • $4,200 for repairs or replacement of these services.

More information about the Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme.

The Structural Assistance Grant is to help with structural repairs or contribution towards replacement of dwelling. This grant may be available if:

  • you live in the affected area
  • you own and live in the affected residence
  • your home has become structurally unsafe to live in
  • are uninsured or unable to claim insurance
  • meet the income limits.

We will visit your home to assess the damage.

Grant amount:

Uninsured, low income, owner-occupiers may receive up to a maximum of $50,000 to help repair your home to make it safe, secure and habitable.

More information about the Structural Assistance Grant.

The Australian Government may also be offering support. For more information about the disaster recovery payments visit the Services Australia website.

To find other support services available visit the Recovery Connect website.

Transport and motoring assistance

You can apply for help with vehicle registration, licensing and other transport and motoring products.

Community Recovery Hubs

Community Recovery Hubs are a place where residents who are experiencing hardship can apply for grants and obtain emotional and wellbeing support. Our Community Recovery workers will assist with grant applications and offer referrals to other community organisations and government agencies for further assistance.

There are no active Community Recovery hubs for this event. For assistance, please call the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

Support Services locations

If a Community Recovery Hub near you has closed, please check the following Support Services locations.

If you need help and there is not a service near you, please call the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

You can access a range of recovery information and services including:

  • financial support (e.g. personal hardship assistance, financial counselling)
  • practical support services (e.g. access to advocacy, translation services)
  • assistance with current applications including validating identification documents
  • information and referral (e.g. welfare referrals, other local services)
  • disaster-specific advice (e.g. safe clean up, managing health concerns, how to cope)
  • emotional support (e.g. personal support, counselling and mental health services)
  • resources to assist vulnerable individuals and groups (e.g. young children and adolescents, domestic and family violence)
  • Community Recovery grant applications.

Gold Coast Local Government Area

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Nerang Neighbourhood Centre
29 Martin Street, Nerang

Open 9am to 3:30pm Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

Studio Village Neighbourhood Centre
87 Village Way, Oxenford

Open 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday

Palm Beach Neighbourhood Centre
16 Third Ave, Palm Beach

Open 9am to 4pm Monday and Tuesday

(Open two days per week)

Varsity Lakes Community Resource Centre
20 Mattocks Road, Varsity Lakes

Open:

  • 8.30am to 3pm Monday to Thursday
  • 8.30am to 12pm Friday