RECOVERY - Bundaberg Regional Council

ISSUE 2
22 FEBRUARY 2013
HUMAN SOCIAL
RECOVERY
SUB-GROUP NEWSLETTER
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITIES,
CHILD SAFETY AND DISABILITY
SERVICES
The Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability
Services (DCCSDS) is responsible for coordinating community
recovery activities.
Community Recovery Centres give immediate help to people after
a disaster and provide information on available grants and referrals
to other services. They operate in the Bundaberg region along
with outreach services, where representatives from a community
recovery team will visit residents in a disaster-affected area.
If you are unable to visit a local Community Recovery Centre
please phone the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349
for further information about accessing assistance.
As of Wednesday, 20 February, more than approximately 9500 have
received emergency grants totalling more than approximately
$2.7 million since the disaster commenced.
Community Recovery Centre
BUNDABERG TAFE
Entrance via Faldt Street
Seven days, 9am to 5pm
Community Recovery Referral
& Information Centre (CRRIC)
NORTH BUNDABERG
CAFÉ 1928
Bundaberg Botanic Gardens
6 Mount Perry Road
Seven days, 9am to 5pm
The Community Recovery also has strong focus in Bundaberg
area and surrounding townships. Currently the call centre is open
and we are managing Outreach in Gayndah and rural townships
including Eidsvold, Monto and Mundubbera.
Please note that Community Recovery Centre is different from
Evacuation centres. Community Recovery Centres provide a onestop-shop
for general human services information, referrals
to appropriate supports including counselling and emergency
financial assistance.
RED CROSS
Bundaberg region residents
badly affected by the recent
floods can now access
funds donated by the
general public to help
their recovery from the
disaster.
Payments of up to $2000
per adult are available now
and have already begun to be
distributed to eligible people who
have applied for assistance to the Queensland Floods
Appeal 2013.
Independent Distribution Committee Chair Terry
Mackenroth said application forms are available
from local recovery centres or the appeal website at
www.queenslandfloodsappeal2013.org.au or by
calling 1800 901 933.
“Our focus is on getting help to those in the Bundaberg
region that need it most as quickly as possible,” Mr
Mackenroth said.
Non-means tested payments on offer for eligible
claimants are $2000 per adult and $1000 per
dependent child (under 18).
Mr Mackenroth said applications had to be in by 18
March 2013 and flood victims would be eligible if the
following has occurred:
• their principal place of residence was damaged in
the floods, regardless of whether the property was
owned or rented (e.g. a house, unit, caravan or other
dwelling), and
• the damaged residence was flooded internally above
the level of the floor in the living areas (e.g. lounge
room, rumpus, dining room, kitchen or bedrooms)
making the dwelling uninhabitable, or
• structural damage, making the dwelling
uninhabitable during high winds

UnitingCare
Community - LIFELINE
How do community crisis and natural
disaster affect wellbeing?
Everyone responds to crisis differentlysome
people may appear to be managing
the situation, while others may struggle
to cope. However most people do
experience healing and recovery and go
on to rebuild their lives and develop new
strengths.
Some typical reactions following a
community crisis may include
• Feeling stressed, anxious, exhausted or
confused
• Feeling sad, down or tearful
• Shock, denial or feeling “numb”
• Anger, fear, guilt, shame or blame
• Uncertainty about the future
• Feeling lonely, isolated or withdrawn
• Feelings of grief and loss
• Physical health problems
• Difficulties concentrating
• Tension in personal relationships
All these reactions to a crisis are normal
and you may experience different
emotions and reactions at different times.
Call Lifeline 13 11 14 if you need to
speak to someone about dealing with
a community crisis or alternatively call
UnitingCare Community on 4153 8400 to
make an appointment to see a counsellor.
QUEENSLAND HEALTH
RECOVERY & RESILIENCE
Looking after YOURSELF after a disaster:
• Eat healthy meals.
• Get regular exercise like walking. Exercise helps burn
chemicals like Adrenalin that are hyping you up and it will
help you become more relaxed.
• Get enough rest – even if you can’t sleep. Rest helps increase
reserves of strength and energy.
• Establish daily routines and try to stick with them. Routine is
important as it helps us to feel in control and function effectively.
• Ask for support when you need it. It is not a sign of weakness and
family, friends, churches and other community services are keen to help
if you let them know what you want. If they do not offer it may simply be
because they do not know what to do – so ask them.
• Spend time with others. Do not feel like you have to talk about the trauma. Talk about
everyday topics like music, the weather, cricket, or plan an outing.
• Focus on your strengths and coping skills. Acknowledge your achievements and how you
have, and can, deal with difficult situations.
Helpful Hints to assist OTHERS Recovery:
• Listen and empathise when the traumatised person wants to talk. It may be hard for
them to express themselves but a sympathetic ear will minimise the chances of them
‘shutting down’.
• Show empathy, try not to say ‘I understand what you are feeling’ (you probably don’t,
since you haven’t been through the same experience). Use phrases such as; ‘it must be
difficult for you; I can see it upsets you; is there anything I can do for you’.
• Spend time with the traumatised person. There is no substitute for personal presence.
• Continue to do the usual things that people do together. Do not force conversation
about the traumatic event or try and be a counsellor. Just being with people who care
about them is very important for traumatised people. Equally, respect
the person’s need for privacy and private grief at times.
• Do not use statements such as ‘lucky it wasn’t worse; at
least you have your health; come on get over it it’s done
now’. People are not consoled by such statements. en
Tell them that you’re sorry they were involved in
such an event, and that you want to understand and
assist them.
• Re-assure them that they are now safe.
• Make positive statements, reaffirm how much
they are appreciated, offer praise, and make a
point of saying something nice each day. Positive
interactions make a difference.
QUEENSLAND HEALTH: THE CENTRE FOR TRAUMA LOSS AND
DISASTER RECOVERY (2011).
TELEPHONE 1300 883 699
EMAIL ceo@bundaberg.qld.gov.au
WEBSITE www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au
ADMINISTRATION CENTRE: 186 - 190 BOURBONG STREET, BUNDABERG
SERVICE CENTRES AT: BARGARA, CHILDERS AND GIN GIN
COUNCIL OFFICE HOURS: 8.15am to 4.45pm MONDAY TO FRIDAY
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING
AND PUBLIC WORKS
The Department of Housing and Public Works provides housing
assistance to low to moderate income families and individuals.
Should you require housing assistance please contact the
Bundaberg Housing Service Centre on (07) 4131 5990 or free call
1800 809 835.
Temporary housing may be available for families or
individuals affected by the recent floods.
You can also contact the Housing Hot
Line on 1800 004 495 should
you require further
assistance or advice.