Bushfire recovery community hub to open at Millmerran Downs

A community hub that residents can visit for bushfire recovery support and assistance will be open tomorrow at Millmerran Downs.

The Wylahra Grove Progress Association Hall will be open as a drop-in centre this Saturday 28 October from 10am until 4pm.

Toowoomba Region Mayor and Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group Geoff McDonald said the bushfire situation around Millmerran Downs and Cypress Gardens would now move from response to recovery.

“The LDMG will now focus efforts in assisting residents to get back on their feet following these devastating fires.

“The evacuation centre at the Millmerran Showgrounds is now closed but a community hub will open at the Wylahra Hall tomorrow where residents can drop-in and access a range of services.

“The hub will help people apply for immediate personal hardship assistance through the State Government’s Disaster Recovery Arrangements as well as access services such as Lifeline and psychological first-aid,” Mayor McDonald said.

Residents can apply for personal hardship funding here https://www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies and access support services here https://www.mycommunitydirectory.com.au/

“I want to thank and acknowledge all of the QFES and rural fire brigades that bravely protected property and people this past week or so across our region, and those right across the State of Queensland continuing their efforts.

“We know this summer is going to be particularly difficult with the high fuel loads and hot and dry conditions.

“That’s also why we are asking all residents, no matter where you live, to be prepared should a bushfire impact your area. There are many resources available to help with resilience and preparedness,” Mayor McDonald said.

QFES has a range of information on bushfire preparedness here -https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/prepare/bushfires

A local fire ban remains in place for the Toowoomba Region as well as Southern Downs, Western Downs, Goondiwindi, Maranoa and Balonne local government areas.

Residents in and around Millmerran Downs, Cypress Gardens, Captains Mountain, Forest Ridge and Millmerran Woods are also asked to be aware that QFES used blaze tamer and retardant chemicals in battling the blazes.

Information for residents on cleaning up their properties after fire retardant has been used is available here QFES Water additives page and here https://www.blazetamer.com/faqs   

Mayor McDonald also encouraged those people who needed community support and assistance, or wanting to donate to those in need, to register through the Givit web site.

“Anyone looking to donate to those in need following these devastating fires can do so through the Givit web site which also allows people who need assistance to register and be matched up with people looking to donate.

“Givit has been the go-to organisation across many natural disasters since the 2011 floods and I encourage the community to visit their web site so donations can be coordinated appropriately.

“Please do not bring donations to any location that has not been authorised by relevant authorities,” Mayor McDonald said.

Visit the Givit web site at https://givit.org.au/qld-bushfires-2023

Residents should continue to monitor the Toowoomba Region Disaster Dashboard at http://disaster.tr.qld.gov.au/

For current bushfires and warnings, visit https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/Current-Incidents

The Wylahra Grove Progress Association Hall is located at 72 Primrose Drive, Millmerran Downs.