02/01/2024
UPDATE ON STORM DISASTER
WEATHER ℹ️
Whilst the weather predictions have been quite fickle, BOM are confident that the more intense rainfall will now contract to the north of Brisbane.
This does not mean that we won’t see isolated showers and thunderstorms, especially later this week so keep an eye on forecasts please.
There is still potential for some moderate flooding in the Albert and Logan River catchments but that risk is easing.
ENERGEX POWER RESTORATION ℹ️
The Energex crews continue to work very hard in difficult conditions and have now got the outages down to 3228 across the city.
To those residents who have now gone 8 days with no power, I thank you for your perseverance and particularly all of you out there helping your neighbours get through this.
It was great to see the vast majority of Coombabah come back on yesterday and today. I know there are still large areas of our hinterland communities waiting to be re-connected and I assure you Energex are determined to get you all back on ASAP.
I took a helicopter flight across the city this afternoon to have a look at the worst hit areas from the sky and of course the devastation is evident. Energex are struggling with access in some areas but they will get there.
CITY CLEAN UP ℹ️
I have asked our CEO to finalise what I am calling “Operation Clean-Up Gold Coast”.
I would like to be able to put out a plan for Gold Coasters to know when their green waste and hard waste will be removed ideally within a couple of days.
This will be a huge exercise and will take weeks not days but stay tuned and the plan will be out ASAP.
As you may have heard the Federal Government has provided 50 ADF personal to SEQ to be shared amongst Gold Coast, Logan and Scenic Rim.
I am grateful, but it may be that we need a lot more help than this and I will not hesitate to ask for more.
WASTE COLLECTION ℹ️
I remind residents that kerbside waste collection will be commencing at 5am, not the usual 6am, until further notice.
This is to help the contractor get through the workload since people are understandably cramming their bins and the contractor has to return to the depot more frequently.
Please get your bin out the night before it is due for collection as I don’t want anyone to be caught out.
GRANTS ℹ️
The QLD Reconstruction Authority (QRA) have announced a range of additional grants and loans for small business, primary producers and not-for-profits. Full information and where to apply: https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/99434
The QRA also advise that they have extended the period for personal hardship grants so if you have been badly impacted personally by storms, loss of power etc. visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies
Council also provides emergency grants of up to $5k for not-for-profit organisations to cater for extraordinary circumstances like this. Many in our not-for-profit sector have worked tirelessly to help local communities this past week so please put your hand up if you are eligible and need the help: https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Council-region/Grants-funding-development-programs/Emergency-Extraordinary-Grants-Program