Redland City Council has made representation to the Queensland Government and Energex to provide urgent assistance to the residents of Southern Moreton Bay.
Late this morning the Department of Communities announced it will be operating a mobile recovery centre today, Wednesday 30 January 2013 on Russell and Macleay Islands.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said our island communities have had an extended period without power and some with limited access to fresh food and the mobile recovery centre will provide much needed help getting hardship payments to residents.
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“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 – certainly our SMBI residents fit this bill, as do others in our community who are still without power.
“Council has been in close contact with Energex to ensure SMBI and other Redland areas are prioritised for power restoration.
“Energex is on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands working to restore power as quickly as possible. Power has been restored to some areas with full restoration of power anticipated by 6pm tonight.
“Council assisted residents by suppling diesel fuel to run generators to keep the Macleay Island SPAR supermarket open, to support the Macleay Island emergency services and to assist Macleay Island residents who rely on critical medical equipment in their homes.
“Island residents who have large amounts of waste due to the power outages are encouraged to dispose of waste at the Island Waste Transfer Stations, which have extended their opening hours (see below).
Cr Williams said while many people were experiencing difficulties, it was important to remember that there had been no loss of life or reported injury in the Redlands.
“Council and other agencies will be working with SMBI residents and business to ensure they are as resilient as possible now and in the future for severe weather events,” she said.
“Everyone learns from experiences like the weekend’s storm and we will be applying those learnings in the future.
“I would like to thanks all those who have been responding throughout the severe weather and clean-up.”
Information about the Mobile Recovery Centre:
RUSSELL ISLAND
Wednesday 30 January 2013
2:00pm -5:00pm
Bay Island Community Centre
55 Jackson Road
MACLEAY ISLAND
Wednesday 30 January 2013
1:30pm -4:30pm
Macleay Island Community Centre
Cnr Southsea Terrace & High Central Road
The Department of Communities has advised Council they will consider opening the centres
tomorrow as well, depending on demand.
Other SMBI information:
Power
Energex crews are on the SMBI islands working to restore power and report power due back on
today. Power restoration is taking a considerable time due to extensive damage to power lines on
the islands.
Energex reports the number of SMBI households without power today is approximately 2400.
Across the Redlands there are around 8600 households without power.
Today’s advice is that the majority of residents and businesses are expected to have power restored today by 6pm:
All SMBI – Karragarra, Lamb, Macleay, Russell,
Service station and IGA supermarket on Russell Island had power restored yesterday.
Waste
Extended Opening Hours:
Island Waste Transfer Stations hours have been extended until 4.30pm today.
Russell Island and Macleay Island Waste Transfer Stations have been extended to open daily from
tomorrow until Monday from 8am-4pm.
Lamb and Karragarra Island Waste Transfer Stations are open seven days a week during daylight
hours (not fenced).
Further information on North Stradbroke and Coochiemudlo Island waste transfer stations can be
found on Council’s website or by contacting RedWaste on 1300 362 036.
Additional Services:
Residents are encouraged to make use of the free green waste kerbside collection to dispose of green waste resulting from the storm.
Residents need to have green waste from the storm on their footpaths by no later than Sunday 10 February, as collection would commence early Monday 11 February.
Personal Hardship Assistance
People who are experiencing personal hardship due to the storm should contact the Department of Communities on 1800 173 349 for support.
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.
Home owners who are not insured may be eligible to receive a Structural Assistance Grant of up to $14,685 per household.
Those who are uninsured, or unable to claim insurance, may also be eligible to receive an Essential Services Safety Reconnection Scheme Grants. There are two parts to this grant, which is income and asset tested: 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).
Assistance is provided under an application and assessment basis only. Further information is available from www.qld.gov.au
Council Contact Details
To report fallen trees to Council contact 3829 8363.
For more information on Council services please phone 3829 8999.
Residents are encouraged to monitor Council’s website (www.redland.qld.gov.au), Facebook and Twitter for updates on advice and services.
