We are expecting cyclone assistance measures to be announced this week.

FINANCIAL HELP

• Producers who need immediate recovery assistance, grants of up to $5000 are currently available in 15 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 1 partial LGA.
• Subsequent grants of up to $20,000 are also available to help eligible primary producers to recover costs paid to repair direct flood damage.
• Low-interest loans of up to $250,000 are available to fund the repair and/or replacement of damaged plant and equipment, buildings or stock.
• To apply for financial assistance for direct damage caused by flooding, producers must be located in a declared local government area.
• A number of banks have now established packages to help farmers, business people, families and individuals in communities adversely affected by the flood waters.
• The QRAA contact for growers is 1800 623 946
• For more information visit www.business.qld.gov.au and for specific information on QRAA grants visit www.qraa.qld.gov.au
• The Queensland Government has a range of financial assistance, support services and advice available to assist those affected by the floods.
• http://www.business.qld.gov.au/risk-management/flood-assistance.html

COMMUNITY RECOVERY INFO - CYCLONE YASI

1. Interpreter Service – phone 13 14 50

2. Community Recovery Hotline – phone 1800 173 349

3. Power outages, fallen power lines etc – phone 13 22 96

4. Electrical safety infoline – phone 1300 650 662

5. State Emergency Service (SES) – phone 132 500

6. Roads accessibility – phone 13 19 40

7. Department of Transport and Main Roads – phone 13 23 80
a. option for 3, 6 or 12 month registration periods with no surcharge
b. free replacement of lost and/or damaged driver licences
c. exemption from late payment of registration fees

8. For homeowners and tenants (no income or assets tests apply) – phone Community Recovery Hotline 1800 173 349
a. Emergent Assistance Grant $170 per person, maximum $850 per family
b. Centrelink Disaster Recovery Payment $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child
c. Mortgage Relief Loan – up to $20,000

9. For homeowners and tenants (income and assets tests apply) – phone Community Recovery Hotline 1800 173 349
a. Essential Household Contents Grant – Up to $1,705 per adult up to a maximum of $5,120 for couples/ families
b. Structural Assistance Grant (if have a mortgage) – up to $10,500 per adult up to a maximum of $14,200 for couples/ families
c. Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Grant – up to $200 per safety inspection, and up to $4,200 for subsequent repairs

10. Primary Producer and Small Business Assistance
a. Financial review and counselling – phone DEEDI – 132 523
b. Freight subsidies – phone DEEDI – 132 523
c. Concessional Loans up to $250,000 – phone QRAA – 1800 623 946
d. Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy – from Centrelink (phone 180 22 66), to assist employees, small business people and farmers who have had a loss of income as a direct result of the natural disaster – 13 weeks payment at Newstart payment rate.

11. CANEGROWERS have met with Federal Minister Ludwig's team.  Alf Cristaudo and Steve Greenwood have met with Minister Mulherin, and completed on-ground assessments in every area.  Minister Mulherin has completed local assessements and has been briefed by Charlie Zappala (Babinda) and Joe Marano (Innisfail) and Peter Lucy (Tully) amongst others. CANEGROWERS Brisbane participates in Cyclone Yasi Agricultural Control Group. CANEGROWERS, BSES Limited and ASMC developing Impact Assessment and Recovery Plan – to feed in to Queensland Reconstruction Authority.
a. Request for grant for agricultural businesses
b. Request for Local Industry Recovery Officers
c. Request for Farm and Creek Clear.

MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELLING & SUPPORT SERVICES

• Visit a Flood Recovery Centre. Representatives from the Department of Communities, Red Cross and Lifeline are present at each Centre to provide initial counseling, as well as referrals to more targeted services. Visit:

• Bundaberg PCYC, 37D Maryborough Street (open 9am to 5pm)
• Chinchilla Cultural Centre, 80/86 Heeney Street (open 8.30am to 5.30pm)
• Emerald McIndoe Park, Opal Street (open 9am to 5pm)
• Rockhampton Show Ground, James Lawrence Pavilion (open 9am to 5pm)

Contact a counselling service near you. Visit this website, select the information brochure for your region and access a wide range of mental health, financial, family, legal, employment and other support services.
http://www.communityservices.qld.gov.au/community/community-recovery/support-assistance/brochures.html

Contact a nation-wide counselling service. The following are general community support services available to all persons.

• Lifeline Telephone Counselling 131 114 www.lifeline.org.au
• Beyondblue info Line 1300 224 636 www.beyondblue.org.au
• Mensline Australia 1300 789 978
• Red Cross 1800 733 111
• Relationships Australia 1300 364 277
• Kid’s Help Line 1800 551 800
• Dvconnect (domestic violence support) 1800 811 811
• Parentline 1300 301 300
• Salvo Care Line 1300 363 622
• Seniors Enquiry Line 1300 135 500
• Red Cross free information booklets and fact sheets online at: http://aftertheemergency.redcross.org.au/get-info/news-and-events/after-floods
• Queensland Health fact sheets for coping in emergencies http://www.health.qld.gov.au/floods/stress_well.asp