City Council have announced public libraries will open to provide relief for residents without power

Christmas Day storms took out power lines across the Gold Coast leaving tens of thousands of homes without power. This free story covers relief available for residents and how to get urgent cash.

Gold Coast City Council has opened public libraries across the city to provide relief to residents who remain without power three days after the freak Christmas storm.

The libraries will remain open for residents to cool down in the airconditioning and charge their devices.

They can also use library facilities to apply for personal hardship payments from the state government of $180 for individuals and up to $900 for families of up to five or more.

The Gold Coast City Council are looking into ways to commercialise their libraries for financial benefits - Jacob de Vere-Topham (11) from Pacific Pines reading a book out of front of the Nerang Library

Runaway Bay Library remains closed because it is yet to have its own power restored.

Libraries which have been opened include Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Waters, Coolangatta, Elanora, Helensvale, Nerang, Ormeau, Robina, Southport, Upper Coomera and Varsity Lakes.

The council has also opened its facilities at the Pimpama Community Centre at the Pimpama Sports Hub, as has the Mudgeeraba Community Centre.

Gold Coasters have been warned against swimming in waterways, with fears of contamination from run-off into the lakes, creeks and rivers following the downpour.

Mayor Tom Tate confirmed on Wednesday access to the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre in Southport, which has shower facilities, would be free for all this Thursday and Friday.

Gold Coast City Council have confirmed all pools across the city that are open will also be made free for the public this Thursday and Friday.

Generic photos of Aquatic Centre. 23 December 2023 Gold Coast Picture by Richard Gosling

Mr Tate said it was important to make the facilities available to residents from the more than-62,000 homes which were still without power on Wednesday afternoon.

HOW TO GET GOVERNMENT DISASTER PAYMENT

Disaster-struck Gold Coasters can get $180 each or $900 for families in emergency money being freed up by the government for urgent food and essentials.

The payment is accessible to those who were affected in suburbs on the Gold Coast including: Advancetown, Alberton, Arundel, Ashmore, Austinville, Biggera Waters, Bilinga, Bonogin, Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Waters, Carrara, Cedar Creek, Clagiraba, Coolangatta, Coombabah, Coomera, Currumbin, Currumbin Valley, Currumbin Waters, Elanora, Gaven, Gilston, Guanaba, Helensvale, Hollywell, Hope Island, Kingsholme, Labrador, Lower Beechmont, Luscombe, Maudsland, Merrimac, Miami, Molendinar, Mount Nathan, Mudgeeraba, Natural Bridge, Nerang, Neranwood, Numinbah Valley, Ormeau, Ormeau Hills, Oxenford, Pacific Pines, Palm Beach, Paradise Point, Parkwood, Pimpama, Reedy Creek, Robina, Runaway Bay, Springbrook, Tallebudgera, Tallebudgera Valley, Tallai, Tugun, Upper Coomera, Varsity Lakes, Willow Vale, Wongawallan and Worongary.

Energex work to restore thousands of damaged power lines across Southeast Queensland following the Christmas Day storm

There are five grants available for residents affected by the storm.

To apply to the grant you will need an Australian Bank account details, a valid email address, an Australian Drivers licence and a Medicare card.

Residents who need help with essential needs such as food, medication, clothing and temporary accommodation will need to apply for the Emergency Hardship Assistance grant.

Individuals can receive $180 and families of five or more will get up to $900.

Residents who need help with essential services such as gas, power, water and sewage and lost one or more essential services for more than five days can apply for the Essential Services Hardship Assistance.

Individuals can received $150 and families of five or more can get up to $750.

Gold Coasters who are uninsured and need to replace household contents such as bed linen and white goods can apply for the Essentials Household Contents Grant.

Residents affected by the storm can apply for Government grants.

A worker will visit the home to assess the damage and if approved individuals can get $1,765 and couple or families can get up to $5,300.

Residents who need help with safety inspections and repairs to reconnect essential services such as gas, water, electricity and sewage can apply for the Essential Services Safety and Reconnection grant.

If workers approve the grant it will cover inspection costs of up to $200 or $4,200 for repairs or replacement of the services.

Residents who need help with structural repairs or contribution towards replacement of a dwelling can apply for the Structural Assistance Grant.

Uninsured, low income, owner-occupiers could get up to $50,000 after workers assess the damage.