QLD:Govt to trial disaster assistance cards

AAP General News (Australia)
12-30-2011
QLD:Govt to trial disaster assistance cards

BRISBANE, Dec 30 AAP - Queenslanders hurt by disaster this wet season will receive
government assistance in the form of a new prepaid card.

The government will trial the cards to see whether they can pay emergency assistance
grants more quickly and securely.

After last summer's floods, Queenslanders were issued with a cheque, but this time
they will be issued with cards that can be used at EFTPOS machines and ATMs, Acting Premier
Andrew Fraser says.

Meanwhile, 12 Queensland councils will receive $3.2 million to upgrade their flood
monitoring and communication equipment.

Mr Fraser said the allocation met a recommendation of the Queensland Floods Commission
of Inquiry, which looked into last summer's flood disaster.

"$3.2 million will go to 12 councils ... particularly to improve information on the
river gauges," he told ABC radio on Friday.

The inquiry found stream gauges needed to be improved to provide authorities with more
information, particularly in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane, where at least 17 people
died.

AAP dac/gd/afr

KEYWORD: RECOVERY UPDATE

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