Queensland flood recovery assistance

I hope you have managed to stay safe and dry during these devastating floods. I was growing up in Oxley in 1974 and remember the incredible amounts of water and devastation back then. Even with all the work I have done since in flood mitigation, response and recovery over the years, it's something you hope never to see again on such a scale. What I viewed with facination as a child I now see with the additional knowledge of an emergency management professional. The enormity of this recovery task is huge, it will take many years and billions of dollars. Such a terrible tragedy and an unfortunate reminder to never underestimate the ferocity of Mother Nature.

1. Emergency Contact Numbers

State Emergency Service 132 500

Police for life threatening emergencies 000 for non life threatening situations contact police on 131 444

Disaster Recovery Hotline 1800 173 349
Energex 131 962
2. Donations

Donations can be made to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal by direct debit or phone 1800 219 028. Only monetary donations are being called for. By donating funds it assists recovery in two major ways. It enables the funds to be directly spent in the affected communities in local businesses thereby promoting economic recovery for the region. This inturn ensures that only those goods and services that are most important are obtained reducing the amount of waste generated from well meaning, yet at times unwanted or unnecessary donations.

3. Volunteering

The best way to help during any emergency is to help your family, friends and neighbours first. This recovery will be a long and protracted process. It will require much patience and understanding and will potentially have long term psychosocial effects on the affected community. To help out further contact Volunteering Queensland and register your interest or call 1800 994 100.

4. Grants

There are a number of flood relief grants available to individuals and businesses. Information on these can be obtained from the Queensland Department of Communities online or by calling 1800 713 349. Centrelink can be contacted on 180 2266 and small business can also contact the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority on 1800 623 946.

Professional recovery assistance for business and governments

Business

Adarna Consulting are offering assistance to businesses in their recovery efforts as a result of the floods. If you or any of your clients require professional recovery assistance then we can help.

A few suggestions on areas that we can assist businesses are below:

- Development of recovery plans and strategies to rebuild businesses

- Strategies to ensure business continuity during the recovery period

- Staff management and welfare during flood recovery

- Assistance with accessing disaster relief grants; and

- Professional debrief of owners, management and staff.

Local and State Government Agencies

Adarna Consulting is well placed to help all levels of Government in this important task and have extensive experience in emergency management, particularly flooding, and whole of government emergency preparedness, response and recovery operations.

We can assist in a number of ways including:

- Conduct of after action reviews to identify lessons learned including organisational debriefing, key person interviews, focused workshops and surveys will contribute to improving plans, processes and procedures.

- Recovery planning

- Implementation of recovery programs and projects;

- Community consultation and recovery needs analysis;

- Survey design, delivery and analysis; and

- Reporting.

Assistance to businesses and governments in affected areas of Queensland and Northern NSW during the flood recovery will be offered on a proportionate pro-bono basis to enable them to reduce their flood recovery costs. Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is any way that I can help out.

Stay safe

Samantha Ford