Community & Business
1 November, 2023
Help for victims of Millmerran fires
Following the devastating fires of the last couple of weeks in the Millmerran district, help is available for those who have sustained losses.
The Federal Government has announced that those impacted by bushfires at Captains Mountain, Cypress Gardens, Forest Ridge, Millmerran Downs and Millmerran Woods can apply for financial assistance.
Individuals can apply for $180 in emergency assistance, with up to $900 available for a family of five or more.
These Personal Hardship Assistance grants are available to cover the costs of essential items like food, clothing and medicine.
Support up to $5,000 per household is also available to help uninsured residents reconnect damaged essential services.
Uninsured residents can also access means-tested grants up to $5,000 per household through the Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme to reconnect damaged services like electricity, gas and water.
Support is being provided through the joint Commonwealth-State funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Residents whose homes have been impacted can now access assistance through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements to help them recover.
Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has welcomed the federal government’s announce-ment that financial support will be available for people impacted by the fires.
Mr Littleproud said the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) offers a one-off payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child who has suffered significant loss as a result of the fires, including a severely damaged or destroyed home or serious injury.
Members of the public can make donations through the GIVIT’s Queensland Bushfire Appeal.
Funds and items will be distributed to community members who have been impacted by the bushfires.
Meanwhile, the Rapid Relief Team (RRT) charity launched a support effort for the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) as they battled fires around Millmerran.
RRT was called to the Millmerran area to provide 100 meals and refreshments for firefighters and deployed its bespoke Rapid Water System from Brisbane.
RRT has several bespoke assets that can be mobilsed at short notice to support emergency services, which comprise bulk water systems.
For the Millmerran fires, the QFES was utilising RRT’s Frac Tank.
The Frac Tank holds 70,000 litres of water.
RRT Local Team Leader George Millar said the Frac Tank was an important tool in the fight against the fires.
“This is stationed close to a water source, then used to fill RRT’s bulk water tanker, which holds 24,000 litres but offers a portable water solution,” Mr Millar said.
“The bulk water tanker takes emergency water close to the action, ensuring the firefighters have more time to spend on the frontline.”
The Rapid Relief Team is the charitable arm of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church.
