State’s recovery from floods and super storms ‘could take years’ warns Miles
Queenslanders are being warned of lengthy delays to repair properties damaged by recent storms and flash flooding
Premier Steven Miles said on Sunday it could take “years to get everybody’s homes repaired”.
At least 10 homes have been destroyed in southeast Queensland’s recent round of thunderstorms and flash flooding, with another 152 sustaining severe damage and 406 moderate damage.
“It’s true recovering from this disaster particularly when it comes to those severely damaged and destroyed households, that’s going to take years,” Mr Miles told reporters.
“The construction market continues to be challenging in terms of labour and supplies.”
Mr Miles said some of those affected had been placed in emergency accommodation.
“The housing department will continue to support people who need assistance with temporary accommodation while they get their homes repaired,” he said.
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Energex said crews continued their marathon restoration effort at the weekend following the recent severe storms, with power safely reconnected to most homes on the Gold Coast and Tamborine Mountain on Sunday night.
Mr Miles said some residents would need their houses to be certified before their power could be reconnected.
He said Operation Energise electricians would be out from Monday to assist those who still had not been able to engage a contractor.
Federal Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt said the recovery from recent weather events in far north Queensland and southeast Queensland would take time.
“They are very significant events on a national scale,” he told reporters on Sunday.
“I want to assure everyone recovering from these events that the Albanese government will be standing with you every step of the way.
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“It’s not going to be able to be fixed overnight.
“There is very significant damage in both ends of the state, but we’re committed to the task and committed to working with the Miles government to get this job done.”
Senator Watt said applications for two additional forms of financial assistance – a disaster recovery payment and a disaster recovery allowance – would open on Monday.
The one-off recovery payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child will be activated for 27 suburbs across southeast Queensland.
“That’s really intended to help those who’ve suffered some sort of significant damage to their homes or if they’ve suffered a serious injury as a result of the storms,” Senator Watt said.
The recovery allowance is a 13-week payment at the JobSeeker level for those whose access to their workplace has been impacted.
“Some people we know have found it difficult to get to their work because of road damage or debris,” Senator Watt said.
The allowance will be made available people who live or work in the three councils affected – the Gold Coast, Logan and Scenic Rim.
Gold Coast City Council has launched Operation Clean Up to help clear storm debris and flood damage including green waste in the most severely impacted areas.
