Emergency Cash Payments Activated for Storm-Ravaged Communities
Families across dozens of storm-battered locations in southeast Queensland will receive crucial financial support with emergency cash payments of up to $900 now available. The federal and state governments activated disaster funding on Thursday following consecutive days of destructive superstorms that have left a trail of devastation throughout the region.
More than 10,000 homes and businesses remain without power after the severe weather systems downed trees and powerlines, closed vital roads, and even lifted roofs from buildings. The catastrophic conditions have created emergency situations across multiple communities.
Financial Support Breakdown for Affected Residents
The relief package provides immediate assistance to residents in 37 designated areas within Moreton Bay. Individuals can access $180 in emergency hardship assistance to cover essential needs like food, clothing, and medicine. For larger households, families of five or more can receive up to $900 to help with immediate essentials during this challenging period.
Additional financial support is available for households to reconnect damaged services, replace essential household contents including bedding and white goods, and make properties safe again. The comprehensive assistance aims to address both immediate and longer-term recovery needs.
Eligible Locations and Council Support
The storm-affected areas qualifying for assistance include: Banksia Beach, Beachmere, Bellara, Bellmere, Bongaree, Bracalba, Campbells Pocket, Corymbia, D'Aguilar, Delaneys Creek, Donnybrook, Elimbah, Godwin Beach, Greenstone, Kurwongbah, Lilywood, Meldale, Moorina, Mount Delaney, Mount Mee, Mount Pleasant, Neurum, Ningi, Ocean View, Rocksberg, Sandstone Point, Toorbul, Upper Caboolture, Wagtail Grove, Wamuran, Wamuran Basin, Waraba, Welsby, White Patch, Whiteside, Woodford, and Woorim.
Beyond direct household payments, multiple local government areas will receive funding for cleanup operations and infrastructure repairs. Central Highlands Regional Council, Fraser Coast Regional Council, Noosa Shire Council, and Sunshine Coast Regional Council have all been allocated resources to restore essential services and clear storm damage.
The City of Moreton Bay will also recoup costs associated with eligible counter-disaster activities, ensuring local authorities can continue response efforts without financial constraints.
Official Response and Ongoing Storm Threats
Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain emphasized the government's priorities, stating: "These storm systems left a significant trail of destruction, so our top priorities are the wellbeing of residents and restoring public safety." She acknowledged the experience of southeast Queensland councils in disaster management and confirmed the assistance would enable uninterrupted recovery work.
Queensland Disaster Recovery Minister Ann Leahy noted the unpredictable nature of this disaster season, describing it as "fast proving to be as destructive as it is unpredictable." She expressed gratitude to frontline workers putting in long hours to restore power, clear roads, and maintain public safety.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli committed to ongoing collaboration with the Federal Government, promising additional support for more localities if required in coming days as damage assessments continue.
The emergency declarations come as severe weather continues to impact the region. On Thursday, inner-Brisbane faced another round of violent storms, with hail stones reaching four centimetres in diameter peppering the city. The Bureau of Meteorology warned that severe thunderstorms could continue to "bubble along" the east coast throughout Thursday evening.
BOM meteorologist Angus Hines confirmed the storms were "packing a punch" and noted an extensive risk area stretching from the Sunshine Coast to Cape York Peninsula. While a brief reprieve is expected on Friday, Hines warned residents to prepare for more stormy weather returning by Saturday.
The wild weather has also affected northern NSW, with Byron Bay and Tweed Heads experiencing storm activity late Thursday. The NSW situation follows Wednesday's severe thunderstorms that caused widespread damage across the state, including roof removals at properties west of Dubbo and tragically claiming the life of a 76-year-old man struck by a tree at Glenworth Valley on the Central Coast.
NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Sean Kearns urged residents in storm warning areas to remain vigilant, emphasizing the importance of having emergency plans prepared during this active storm season.
