"Floods and Finance" Article by Tina Zawila

Rainfall for the week ended 28 January 2013 - Queensland

We have all been touched over the last few weeks by Queensland’s extreme weather conditions.  It seems that every community on the east coast of our great state has been impacted by ex-tropical cyclone Oswald.  

Sadly, there have been lives lost and many people have lost everything they own as a result of the floods.   Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this terrible weather event.

As we start on the road to recovery, financial assistance will be vital to those who have lost their businesses, their homes or possessions.

Both the State and Federal Governments have funding that is available to those adversely affected by the floods that began on 21 January 2013.



The Federal Government offers an Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) which is a one-off payment for people who have been adversely affected by a disaster.  If you are eligible, you will receive: $1,000 per adult and $400 for each child (under 16 years of age).  Refer to www.humanservices.gov.au for more information.

Awoonga Dam in The Gladstone Region  - 26 January 2013



The Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au) offers the Emergent Assistance Grant which is not income or asset tested and applicants may receive between $180 and $900.  These payments are usually made at a Community Recovery Centre in the disaster affected area. 

The Queensland Government also has three grants available if you are uninsured, or unable to claim insurance, and you are the owner (or mortgagee of the property), you live in a disaster declared area, and you meet the income and asset tests.

·        Essential Household Contents Grant will assist in replacement or repair of essential household contents, $1,765 for single adults and up to $5,300 for couples/families.

·        Structural Assistance Grant is a one-off payment towards repairs to your home to make it secure and safe, up to $10,905 for single adults and up to $14,685 for couples/families.

·        Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Grant to help reconnect essential services (electricity, gas, water and sewerage or septic system) that were damaged by a disaster.  Available in two parts: 1) Inspection – up to $200 towards a safety inspection for each essential service needing reconnection and 2) Repair – up to $4,200 towards repair work to enable essential services to be reconnected.

The Old Bridge in Bundaberg - 28 January 2013 

This information is general in nature and your own situation and circumstances must be considered to determine eligibility for financial assistance. 

Have you, your family or friends been adversely affected by ex-tropical cyclone Oswald?

How are you/they coping? Have you/they had time to see what financial aid may be available?

Can we help?

At Sothertons, we are committed to supporting you in [Business] + [Life]; if you need any financial advice or help in determining your eligibility for financial assistance please call us on (07) 4972 1300.