Logan City Council today endorsed a flood recovery package that supports ratepayers, small business and the environment.
The package includes a rates rebate for the fourth quarter which supplements a range of funding and hardship support provided by the Queensland and Australian governments.
The $250 rebate will apply for those residential properties inundated by riverine flooding.
City of Logan businesses inundated by riverine flooding are also eligible for support under the package.
Council will also extend arrangements introduced during the pandemic which allows residential and commercial ratepayers under financial hardship to apply for zero-interest payment plans.
The package also provides:
- Small business support
- Waiving of some Development Application and business licence fees
- Prioritised community grants
- Additional support to wildlife carers
- Free trees to help stabilise and restore eroded waterway banks.
Treating freshwater and saltwater mosquito breeding areas also will be a priority.
Flooding in the City of Logan exceeded 2017 levels (ex TC Debbie) in most areas but was slightly lower than flood heights in 1974.
Council is aware of 238 houses and 47 businesses inundated with 50 properties still to be inspected. There were 140 residential requests for assistance and 27 from businesses.
City of Logan Mayor Darren Power said Council's Flood Recovery Financial Assistance Package would help to ease the burden on ratepayers and business owners.
"We understand the recovery from the floods will not be a sprint, but a marathon, and these measures will bring some relief to those most impacted," Cr Power said.
"The Logan community is resilient and always there for each other in times of need and Council plays a key role in the recovery process.
"The clean-up from the deluge is ongoing and the way the community is uniting at this time is inspiring and heart-warming to see. They have been through a lot and every bit of assistance will make a difference.
"That's why the support package is multi-pronged and covers many areas. It was designed to support the various hardships facing the community - residential, business and the environment.
"I commend the hard work of my fellow Councillors and Council staff involved in the recovery process to bring this together quickly."
Recovery hubs
Three Community Recovery hubs are now operating to provide a place where residents can talk to community recovery staff, receive referrals for community and government agencies and apply for hardship grants.
The hubs operate from 9am-4pm and are located at:
- Beenleigh PCYC - 20-38 Alamein Street, Beenleigh
- Caddies Community Centre - 19-33 South Street, Jimboomba
- Kingston East Neighbourhood Centre - 117 Meakin Road, Kingston.
Financial assistance grants
Support is available for flood-affected residents facing financial hardship. The following jointly funded Queensland and Australian Government grants are available to residents in the City of Logan, which was declared a disaster area:
- Emergency Hardship Assistance Grant ($180 per person/up to $900 for family of five) for immediate needs such as food, accommodation, clothing and medicine.
- Essential Services Hardship Assistance Grant ($150 per person/up to $750 for family of five) for those who have lost essential services for more than five days.
- Essential Household Contents Grant (up to $1765 for single adults/ $5300 for couples/families) for those who are uninsured, or unable to claim insurance for household contents.
- Structural Assistance Grant (up to $10,995 for single adults/ $14685 for couples/families) to help repair homes and make them safe and secure.
- Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Grant (up to $200 towards safety inspections/ up to $4200 towards repair) to assist owner/occupied households to reconnect services such as electricity, gas, water and/or sewerage.
Residents can check eligibility criteria, and apply for these grants at the Community Recovery Grants Portal or phone 1800 173 349.
Those who are not eligible for the above grants may qualify for the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment.
This is a lump sum payment of up to $1000 per adult and $400 per child for those who have been significantly affected by disaster.
