The Sunshine Coast was one of the first places to be inundated by the heavy rainfall and flash flooding which claimed the lives of 19 people in Queensland and wreaked havoc across the coast and hinterland. 

In response, Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien said funding had been activated to support impacted communities on the east coast. 

Mr O’Brien said he had been visiting residents and businesses to assure them that help was available. 

“The floods hit hard and people are hurting,” Mr O’Brien said. “Lives have been lost, properties damaged, and businesses disrupted.  

“That’s why the federal government immediately sprung into action and activated a number of disaster recovery grants to provide relief for impacted individuals, businesses and community groups.”  

Funding from the federal government includes the Disaster Recovery Payment, a lump sum of $1000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children, as well as the Disaster Recovery Allowance which provides up to 13 weeks of support at the current JobSeeker rate. 

A $558.5 million support package has also been negotiated between the federal and state governments to help Queensland small businesses, farmers, not-for-profit organisations, and sporting and community clubs. 

Through this jointly funded package, demand driven grants of up to $75,000 for primary producers, up to $50,000 for affected small businesses and not-for-profit organisations, and $20,000 for sporting and community clubs and associations are available to help flood-affected communities get back on their feet.

A further $1 million has also been provided to numerous Councils to provide immediate relief to fund clean-up and recovery activities – including the Sunshine Coast Council.   

To enable impacted residents to easily navigate support payments, Ted O’Brien has created a consolidated list of all available funding support and information. 

“Despite the extraordinary resilience and humility of those impacted, people need help and they need to know where to go to get it. Please head to my website www.tedobrien.com.au and click flood assistance.” 

As of March 17, more than $862 million in Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) and Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) have been paid for those in urgent need.  

Eligibility criteria applies and different grants will be open for different time periods. This information is all located on Ted O’Brien’s website. If you, or someone you know, needs support head to www.tedobrien.com.au/flood-assistance/