Anthony Albanese announces $23m package for storm-battered Gold Coast

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled a $23 million package to help storm-battered parts of Queensland including the Gold Coast get back on track. ALL THE DETAILS

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled a $23 million package to help storm-battered parts of Queensland including the Gold Coast get back on track.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has welcomed the support, saying it makes him feel like the Australian Government has “our back when we are down on the canvas”.

But the Gold Coast itself will only get a share of the funds. It will be split with north Queensland which is recovering from Cyclone Jasper which hit a week before the Gold Coast weather disaster. No tourism relief was mentioned either.

Mr Albanese, flanked by Premier Steven Miles and Mayor Tom Tate, unveiled the recovery funds on a visit to the Gold Coast on Tuesday morning after meeting with emergency services workers and army staff.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Steven Miles announced additional disaster assistance funding during a visit to the Gold Coast Emergency Management Centre. Picture Glenn Hampson

There will be no funds directed towards the tourism sector, which has been impacted by ongoing cancellations stemming from wild weather at the height of the holiday season.

Mr Albanese said the governments of all levels were looking at help for the tourism industry but the current focus was on small business and those whose homes and livelihoods were directly impacted by the storms.

“We are looking at support for tourism business on top of what we have contributed with this funding and we are continuing to engage and one of the reasons for this visit is to make sure that people are not left behind,” he said.

The $20m unveiled will go towards a clean-up program both on the Gold Coast and in north Queensland areas impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper. It’s unclear what the split between the regions will be.

It will be used to help fund the removal of debris from the storm.

“We know how tough it has been for the people of southeast Queensland and there is more to do,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister and Premier take selfies with Council emergency centre staff. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“We will deliver additional support for primary producers who can access up to $75,000 of grants and affected businesses to access $50,000 in grants.

“Grants of $1m will be provided to the Gold Coast, Logan and Scenic Rim councils.

“We know there is more to do and we are putting our shoulder to the wheel.”

The $1m grants - one for each council - are to be used for local recovery initiatives and were previously announced on January 4.

Announced on Tuesday on top of the $20m of new funds by the Prime Minister were:

* Grants of up to $75,000 for affected farmers and primary producers. These will be used for “short-term recovery needs including pasture rehabilitation, fodder, replacing livestock, and repairs to infrastructure and equipment”;

* Up to $50,000 for affected small business owners and non-profit organisations. These will be used for the “hire or purchase equipment and materials, clean up, remove debris, replace or repair damaged infrastructure and stock, and other costs associated with the recovery process”;

* Direct financial assistance for Scenic Rim Council, which takes in Mount Tamborine and other parts of the Gold Coast Hinterland, to bring on a project manager and skilled team to manage the recovery efforts.

Mr Albanese said his heart went out to the people affected by the storms.

He said it was a reminder that the impact of climate change was being seen in the increasingly frequency and ferocity of events.

Damage to Dreamworld caused by the Christmas Day storm on the Gold Coast. Picture: Supplied.

Federal and state treasurers Jim Chalmers and Cameron Dick and Emergency Services Minister Murray Watt also attended.

Mr Miles said the “sheer scale” of the clean-up was “massive” and the focus of governments was on the clean-up.

The Prime Minister met members of the ADF who helped with the clean up. Picture Glenn Hampson

“This is a massive job and with this funding we can get this clean-up done,” he said.

“We are funding small business grants, which are important here on the Gold Coast.

“It is the engine room of the economy. We are now getting a sense of the scale of the energy reconnection.”

Power has been restored to 130,000 homes after the deadly storm, which swept through the Gold Coast and Hinterland on Christmas night, killing a Helensvale woman and destroying large amounts of property. It ripped roofs off homes and in some cases ruined homes.

More than 3.5m lightening strikes were recorded during Christmas storms, up from 38,000 during the same period last year.

Mayor Tom Tate thanked both governments for their funding commitments and urged Gold Coasters to seek help in fast-tracking the cash to their bank accounts.

“I am heartened that additional funding has been found because it makes you feel that the Queensland and Australian Government has our back when we are down on the canvas,” he said.

“Yes there are more grants but instead of trying to work out how to apply, come down to the recovery hubs and we will have officers there help you fill out the forms and access the funds so it can get to you as quickly as possible,” Mr Tate said.

Premier Steven Miles and Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate view storm damage from the air Photo Supplied Premier's Department/Annette Dew

Originally published as Anthony Albanese announces $23m package for storm-battered Gold Coast