Cleaning up and getting help after disasters : Ipswich City Council

In a life-threatening situation always call Triple Zero (000).

For information in another language visit our translated resources.

Stay informed

Follow the advice of emergency services about whether it is safe to return. These updates will be published on the Ipswich Disaster Dashboard along with advice about waste management and accessing support services.

Getting help

Health and wellbeing
- Call the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.
- Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for compassionate support. You can also text 0477 13 11 14, or chat online.
- Contact 1300 MH CALL (1300 642 255) a mental health access line for support, information, advice, triaging and referral.
- Contact 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for confidential health-related advice from a registered nurse on non-life threatening health concerns.
Finance
- Call the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.
- Visit the Community Recovery Grants Portal to see what financial assistance may be available to you – this may include assistance to buy food and essential medication, clothing and temporary accommodation.
- If you have insurance, contact them as soon as possible to start a claim. If you need urgent financial assistance let your insurer know, they may be able to fast track your claim.
- Access free, independent and confidential financial counselling with a qualified professional via phone or live chat through the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access Mob Strong Debt Help on 1800 808 488 for free financial counselling and legal advice.

Housing
- Call the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.
- If you have home or building insurance, contact your insurer as your policy may provide emergency temporary accommodation.
- For emergency housing contact 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or the Ipswich Housing Service Centre on (07) 3437 6000 or 1800 636 390.
For small businesses
- Ahead for Business helps small business owners take action on their mental health and wellbeing through personalised resources and tools tailored to their specific needs.

View the Insurance Council of Australia’s advice about cleaning up after a disaster, and how to work with your insurer.
Property owners and/or occupiers are responsible for cleaning up and properly removing debris on their property. Following a disaster, council may provide partial or fully subsidised disposal of general or vegetation waste – check our social media channels after a disaster to find more information.
Safety is the priority - don’t do anything that puts anyone at risk. Consider advice from Queensland Health about the safety risks that may arise during clean up from a disaster such mould, asbestos and mosquito-borne diseases.
If you have insurance, take photos or videos of damage to your property, contents and possessions before you start your clean-up as it will support your insurance claim.
The golden rule of food safety after a disaster or emergency is if in doubt, throw it out! Learn what’s safe to eat and what’s not on the Queensland Government’s food safety after an emergency or natural disaster webpage.
Only use QBCC-licensed contractors for repair work, so you have cover with the Home Warranty Scheme and access to the QBCC dispute resolution service.

Check your home for damage. If water has entered the property, don't turn on the electricity until it has been inspected by an electrician.
If you have solar panels, they will continue to produce electricity even if the mains power has been disconnected. Assume the system is live and stay away – follow Energex’s advice on their solar power and battery storage safety webpage.
Stay away from fallen power lines and immediately report them to Energex on 13 19 62.
The SES can assist with temporary emergency measures to make the occupied areas of your home safe – call 132 500, or request assistance via the SES Assistance QLD app.

Check your home for damage. If your home or business has flooded and the mains power is still connected, contact Energex on 13 19 62 immediately to arrange disconnection.
If water has entered the property, don't turn on the electricity until it has been inspected by a licensed electrical contractor.
If you have solar panels, they will continue to produce electricity even if the mains power has been disconnected. Assume the system is live and stay away – follow Energex’s advice on their solar power and battery storage safety webpage.
Do not drive your vehicle if it has suffered water damage.
Find out more about returning home after a flood from the Insurance Council of Australia and consider this advice about staying safe when returning home after a flood.
The SES can assist with temporary emergency measures to make the occupied areas of your home safe – call 132 500, or request assistance via the SES Assistance QLD app.

Keep away from any exposed underground cables or melted pillar boxes.
After authorities have declared that it is safe to return home, read the Australian Red Cross’ returning home after a bushfire webpage.
It's important to stay safe as you return home. The Queensland Government website includes many resources to assist with the immediate aftermath when returning home after a bushfire.

Be on the lookout for signs of heat-related illness, which may happen slowly over a day or two of very hot weather. Check on people who may be more at risk of heat-related illness including the elderly, babies and very young children, and pregnant or breast-feeding women.
Don't eat food that has been left out of the fridge for two or more hours. Learn what’s safe to eat and what’s not on the Queensland Government’s food safety after an emergency or natural disaster webpage.

Business Queensland has lots of advice and resources to help you rebuild your business after a natural disaster.
You can also visit the Small Business Disaster Hub for industry-tailored resources to help you recover and communicate so you can get back to business sooner when disaster hits.

Donate
- Please do not send or take unrequested donations into impacted areas. Unrequested donations hinder recovery efforts.
- GIVIT captures all donation offers online so your donation does no harm and meets the real needs of people right now, as identified by support organisations working directly with people impacted by disasters.

Volunteer
- Council partners with local volunteer groups who restore and protect natural areas before and after disasters. Find out more on our Volunteer Portal.
- Register your interest in Emergency Volunteering Community Response to Extreme Weather (EV CREW). Through this program council works with Volunteering Queensland to place volunteers with the required skills, availability and locality into the areas of the community that need help.
Visiting impacted areas
- Don’t visit impacted areas immediately after a disaster as it may be unsafe and you could hinder recovery efforts.
- When it is safe to return and businesses have re-opened, buying locally and supporting small businesses in your community is one of the best ways you can help businesses and the community get back on their feet after disasters.