Disaster Recovery
Disaster recovery is a coordinated process to support individuals and communities through reconstruction of physical infrastructure, economic recovery, the environment and support in emotional, social, physical wellbeing and psychological health.
Cleaning up and supporting residents and businesses is the work of a range of agencies, organisations, local businesses and residents. Knowing who to turn to for support can be tricky, so above is a list of agencies and the support they can provide during and after a disaster.
Residents can keep across up-to-date emergency and recovery information via the Disaster Dashboard: https://disaster.wdrc.qld.gov.au/
Life-threatening: '000'
State Emergency Service: 13 25 00 (non-emergency)
Ergon Energy: 13 16 70
Provides advice and information regarding:
- Waste Collection Information
- Cleaning Roofs and Water Tanks
- Water and Gas Supply
- Lost Animals or Stock
Contact: 1300 COUNCIL (1300 268 624)
Provides services and information regarding:
- Financial Assistance
- Support Services
- Housing and Accommodation
- Physical and Mental Health and Wellbeing
Contact: 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or visit getready.qld.gov.au/after-disaster
Provides advice and information regarding:
- Restoring Rainwater Tanks and Water Sources
- Restoring Pools
- Disposing of Contaminated Food and Equipment
- Asbestos
Visit: health.qld.gov.au/public-health/disaster
Provides up to date information regarding:
- Current Bushfire and Emergency Events
- Current Warnings
- Preparedness Information
Contact: www.fire.qld.gov.au
Provides advice and information regarding:
Contact: 1800 623 946 or visit www.qrida.com
Red Cross: The Red Cross has published a series of resources to help people recover from the effects of disaster, including coping strategies for adults and children, cleaning up, dealing with memorials and anniversaries. Visit www.redcross.org.au/emergencies/
Lifeline: Crisis support is available through organisations such as Lifeline. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au
Get Ready Queensland: Guidance and support resources to assist and expedite recovery. Visit www.getready.qld.gov.au/after-disaster
Other not-for-profit organisations that provide post-disaster emotional support, crisis hotlines and other assistance include:
- Salvation Army - 1300 371 288
- St. Vincent de Paul - 1300 633 343
- Adventist Development and Relief Agency Australia Ltd - 1800 242 372
- RSPCA - 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625)
- Blue Care - 1300 258 322
- St John Ambulance - 1300 ST JOHN (1300 785 646)
- Beyond Blue: Phone 1300 224 636
- Headspace (Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing): Phone 1800 650 890
Primary Producer Impacts
Primary producers directly impacted by disaster events are encouraged to fill out the Queensland DAF Agriculture Disaster Impact Survey.
The purpose of this survey is to gain a better understanding of the extent of a disaster event affecting the area. The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries collects this information to inform the process for activation of disaster recovery assistance.
Please ensure that records of the damage are kept, whether this is the loss of assets, commodities, costs to repair fences, costs to buy feed for their stock, e.g.
If trigger points are not met to activate disaster areas, primary producers who have suffered damage can apply for an Individual Disaster Stricken Property (IDSP) declaration, providing access to freight subsidies and concessional loans.
Producers should take photos of direct damage on their property before cleaning-up to accompany their funding application. Please date stamp these photographs to show the damage is from this natural disaster event.
Further advice and support for agriculture businesses affected by drought and natural disasters can be found at business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/disaster.
Local Business Impacts
The Business Queensland Hub has information available for local businesses on how to prepare, respond, recover and communicate when dealing with natural disasters: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/natural-disaster/disaster-hub
When the damage to buildings, assets, vehicles and equipment is assessed, decisions and photos and /or videos of damage can be recorded in an event log for insurance claims.
Other Support Available: