Police Dog Scud was on an important mission this week to check in on how Dallarnil residents were recovering from last month’s floods.
Accompanied by Bundaberg Police officers Sergeant Meg Owens and Acting Disaster Management Support Officer Danny Hess, Scud went on a road trip to Dallarnil on 9 March.
Their first stop was the Dallarnil Hall, where government and non-government agencies were on hand to assist locals affected by the January and February floods.
The hall was opened up for the ‘Flood Recovery Session’ in order to provide residents with one-on-one assistance with grant funding, emotional and wellbeing support and contact with support agencies.
The officers got to meet different residents who spoke about the impact of the floods on their farms and properties.
Sgt Owens said she was impressed with the residents’ resilience and community spirit.
PD Scud and the officers were then invited as the guests of honour at Dallarnil State School.
Snr Sgt Hess told the students about the role of a police dog and answered questions while PD Scud happily received pats from the students and posed for a photo.
FLOOD FUNDING
Flooding disaster funding assistance is available for 19 affected council areas including the North Burnett, South Burnett and Gympie regions.
Wide Bay member Llew O’Brien said the impacts of the major flood events in January and February 2022 would be felt throughout the region for months and years ahead.
“This was the biggest flood to hit Gympie since 1893 and the second flood to hit Wide Bay this year,” Mr O’Brien said.
“So many communities in Wide Bay have been hit extremely hard, with lives tragically lost; vehicles, crops and livestock swept away; roads ruined; homes and businesses inundated; and ongoing disruption to services including power and telecommunications.
“While we cannot replace everything that the floods have destroyed, this funding provides some support for our Wide Bay communities and primary producers at the time they need it most.”
The following flooding disaster funding assistance is available:
FOR INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES
Emergency Hardship Assistance: For people who are unable to meet their immediate essential needs for temporary accommodation, food, essential clothing and medication.
Essential Household Contents Grant: A one-off payment for households who are uninsured or unable to claim insurance as a contribution towards replacing or repairing essential household contents.
Structural Assistance Grant: One-off payment towards the cost of repairs to uninsured, owner-occupied homes to ensure the home is habitable, secure and safe.
Essential Services Safety & Reconnection Scheme: To help owner/occupied households reconnect essential services that were damaged by a disaster.
To access these grants, apply online at: www.qld.gov.au/communityrecovery or call the Community Recovery Hotline at 1800 173 349
FOR PRIMARY PRODUCERS, SMALL BUSINESSES, NOT FOR PROFITS
Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Grants: Up to $50,000 available under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and will be available to eligible primary producers, small business and not-for-profits.
Disaster Assistance Loans: Available to help you recover and return to viable operations. The loan can be used to cover costs such as replacement of damaged plant and equipment, repairing or replacing buildings, meeting carry-on requirements including restoring or re-establishing areas affected by the event, sustenance/ paying rent and rates.
Disaster Assistance (Essential Working Capital) Loans: Available to help you with essential working capital in order to continue business operations. These can be used for paying salaries, wages, creditors, rent or rates, buying goods, transporting or buying fodder and water for livestock or produce.
Freight Subsidies for Disaster Affected Primary Producers: Subsidies of up to $5000 are available for eligible primary producers who experienced inundation.
Head to www.qrida.qld.gov.au for more details.
