Our volunteers are keen to roll up their sleeves and work alongside property owners who have lost their fences in these devastating floods.

If you have lost fencing, or other structures such as irrigation, etc, but aren’t able to afford to hire a fencing contractor (eg no insurance or under-insured), BlazeAid might be able to help you.

In response to the Queensland and Victorian flood disasters, we will be working from a number of basecamps in both states. Currently, we have basecamps in Toowoomba and Stanthorpe, Queensland, and Bridgewater, Victoria. Our volunteers will be on the fence-line from Monday 24th January 2011 onwards.

A Basecamp at Ficks Crossing outside Murgon (in the South Burnett) and in other locations are pending.

Please read the Survivors Workplace Agreement (please go to our website at www.blazeaid.com) for further details of working with BlazeAid volunteers.
When you are ready to register, please contact Lyn on 0466 348 408. If her phone is busy, or goes to Message Bank, please hang up and phone her again in a few minutes. Please don’t leave a message as she doesn’t get a chance to check them regularly.

Great friendships were forged between Black Saturday survivors and BlazeAid volunteers as they worked together. We know the same will happen over the coming weeks and months as BlazeAid volunteers join you in helping rebuild in your communities.

CTC would like to help

The Board and staff of South Burnett CTC (CTC) would like to send our best wishes to all of our clients, participants, partners and stakeholders who have been affected, and continue to be affected, by the recent flooding.  Our thoughts are with you and your communities.

Sadly, a number of our staff have had their homes flooded and many more were dislocated from home, work, family and friends. Our thoughts are with them in this difficult time. On a more positive note all our offices are now fully operational and we’d like to extend our thanks to all those who have generously volunteered in the clean up and assisted in each community.

If you are having problems accessing assistance or have other flood related problems, again please contact CTC and we will do our best to help you. 
 
If you need funding support, you may wish to view our Financial Assistance web page by CLICKING HERE.

Grants are available to small businesses and primary producers in the local government areas of Banana, Barcaldine, Bundaberg, Central Highlands, Cherbourg, Lockyer Valley, North Burnett, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Western Downs and Woorabinda. The grants are currently not available in the Gympie local government area, however more areas may be added.

The Queensland Government has a one-stop shop for regional Queenslanders looking for relevant information from state government departments and agencies, as well as community groups. For more information, visit http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/support.html

We would like to once again extend our best wishes to everyone during this difficult time.

Regards

Nina  

Ten thousand Queensland businesses have been directly impacted by Queensland's flood crisis, which is now being called Australia's worst natural disaster.

During this immensely difficult time, Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland (CCIQ) has launched a national flood appeal to help Queensland businesses devastated by the floods to get back on their feet. CCIQ has made a significant contribution to kick start the appeal.

In recognition of the extent of businesses that have been impacted by this crisis, CCIQ is also providing a complimentary 30 day membership for anyone affected by the floods. This will provide you with access to our member only Employer Assistance Line and an overview of what your obligations are as an employer facing these situations.

In this newsletter, you will find information on your obligations, entitlements, financial assistance and general advice to help you get back up and running. Our thoughts are with all Queenslanders over the coming weeks.

For more information go to http://www.cciq.com.au/floods

Or you can download a comprehensive DEEDI fact sheet by CLICKING HERE.

For a comprehensive list of financial support available to individuals, families and businesses go to http://www.sbctc.com.au/article/121/flood-support.

As reported by our Youth Service team.

This is a true act of kindness and community spirit. This family (2 adults 4 kids – with multiple disabilities) has been stuck here because of the floods, their car broken down and they were staying at the big 4 and $150 per night – on searching for accommodation Emma spoke to Neil at the Pioneer Lodge Motel who donated accommodation for the whole weekend!!! This was such a humbling moment – so we need to ensure that the whole community know what Neil has done.

SBRC are compiling a spreadsheet designed to capture those homeowners who have a need to have their homes cleaned out following inundation.  People in this predicament should contact SBRC and then this information will be attended to by Keith Campbell.  The idea is that Fire Services will then schedule a cleanup program.  It is most important that homeowners have their power source checked by an authorised electrician before the cleanup.

Should anyone’s name be doubled up as a result of their details being handled by more than one source, Council agree that it is better for them to be on the list more than once than not at all and they can refine the names once the list has been completed. 

Contact Council by phoning 4189 9100 or email info@southburnett.qld.gov.au.

For a comprehensive list of financial support available to individuals, families and businesses go to http://www.sbctc.com.au/article/121/flood-support. 

• South Burnett Regional Council - Emergency Assistance Helpline - 1300 789 279
• Queensland Government help for personal hardship relating to the flooding – phone 1800 173 349, go to http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/support.html or CLICK HERE to download the latest Fact Sheet
• Factsheet detailing assistance for primary producers and small business can be downloaded by CLICKING HERE.
• Commonwealth Government Disaster Assist Website - www.disasterassist.gov.au or get the latest facsheet on the 'The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP)' by CLICKING HERE.
• National financial counselling hotline (which enables people to obtain details of/get a referral to local financial counsellors): 1800 007 007 or Commonwealth Financial Counselling (CFC) Directory - www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/families/progserv/Pages/cfcp-cfcp_directory.aspx#qld

12 January 2010 - Flood recovery assistance now available for Wide Bay families and businesses

Federal Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss has today provided details of Government flood disaster assistance available to businesses in the Fraser Coast, Gympie, Sunshine Coast, North and South Burnett Council areas.

“Businesses and primary producers in the flood affected parts of the Fraser Coast, Gympie, Sunshine Coast, North and South Burnett Regional Councils now have access to Category C Special Assistance Flood grants of up to $25,000 under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements. 

“Businesses in flood affected parts of the Fraser Coast, Gympie, and the Burnett Councils will also have access to Category B concessional loans of up to $250,000.”
“I encourage all eligible businesses to apply for any assistance to which they are entitled.
 
“There are many businesses that have been flooded, damaging their premises, equipment and stock, not to mention the loss of trade which also affects the local economy.
“It is important that the Government helps wherever it can, as soon as it can, and as much as it can.  These grants are an important way in which the Government can extend a helping hand.” Information and application forms for the grants and concessional loans is available from www.qraa.qld.gov.au or by telephoning 1800 623 946.

The assistance for businesses and primary producers is in addition to the payments that are available to individuals, families and employees affected by the flood.
“While it is impossible to restore lost personal effects, the Australian Government is already offering some assistance to people affected by floods by providing cash grants to help them replace essential household contents which have been lost, damaged or destroyed as a result of the flood,” Mr Truss said.

An Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment for Queensland Flooding is now available from Centrelink for local families and individuals affected by the flood, which provides a payment of $1,000 for each adult or $400 for each child.  Contact Centrelink on 180 22 66 for information about the payment.

A Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy is also available from Centrelink for employees, small businesses and farmers who have suffered from a loss of income as a result of the flood.  An eligible single person with no children will receive $469.70 a fortnight, while a single person with children would get $508.20 and couples $424 each.  Contact Centrelink on 180 22 66 for information about the payment.

The Queensland Government offers an Essential Household Contents Grant to flood affected households who have lost essential household items in the disaster and who do not have contents insurance.  The grant is a means tested once-off payment of up to $1,705 per adult, up to a maximum of $5,120 for a couple/family.  For information or to make an application please call 1800 173 349.

The Queensland Government also offers a Structural Assistance Grant to uninsured property owners whose home has been damaged by the disaster.  The home must be owned by the applicant and their sole place of residence at the time of the disaster. The once-off payment of up to $10,500 per individual, and up to $14,200 for a couple/family, less amounts paid as an Emergent Assistance Grant and/or Essential Household Contents Grant, provides a contribution towards repair of the residence to a habitable and secure condition.  For information or to make an application please call 1800 173 349.